My Message Isn’t Bleak

By: Osman El-Badawi

According to my regular treatment program: Today is my appointment to go to the Oncology Hospital in Gedaref..
*Due to my infrequent outings to the street due to this slight “illness”, I have become very interested in monitoring the changes and developments on both sides of the road.. But – this time – I will not tell you about the increasing number of potholes in the street.. nor about the expansion of their area at the expense of the asphalt.. I will also not repeat what I mentioned previously about the increasing decline in the culture of overtaking, stopping and avoiding vehicles drivers, which has become more than the number of pedestrians who do not respect the ABCs of the rules of their safety when crossing or standing on the edge of densely trafficked roads..
*Also, let me ignore – intentionally – the overwhelming chaos resulting from the sidewalk trade.. and the millions wandering on thier faces { they don’t know where they are heading.. and they don’tv have a passport}.. ​​in a country looking for harvest workers in neighboring countries..!
OI will limit my talk -this time- to the negative phenomenon that has remained constant.. -and even worsened- in all seasons.. represented by the waves of the roaring flood.. and the rivers of gushing water -as far as the eye can see- due to the explosion of water supply lines inside neighborhoods and in markets.. in a city dying of thirst.. and no one is listening..!!
My journey inside the Oncology Center ends.. I am filled with anxiety.. because of the increasing number of treatment seekers coming from all over the country whose structures were destroyed by war.. and whose wealth was squandered.. and whose capabilities were wasted. But: so that this message of mine is not gloomy.. as gloomy as the face of the departed year in this Sudan that we love.. I conclude with a wave of thanks and gratitude to all the workers in the Oncology Center.. who whenever the spaces to accommodate treatment seekers in their rooms became narrow.. the spaces of smiles expanded on their faces.. and the comforts of shelter in their hearts.. and the havens of tenderness in their chests.. and the pillows of safety between their ribs.. and the signs of healing are the light of Their candles..
*Today, Sudan of sorrows turns the last pages of the second year of bitterness of the occurrence of the tragedy.. and the occurrence of the incident.. which occurred [[because of what people’s hands have earned]].. and with the turning of the pages of this “dull year”, the face of the beginning of the “year of a new era” appears.. we hope that it will be “bright.. soft.. happy” for us..

About the Author:

Osman El- Badawi retired after years of working as a lecturer in African literature, drama and Arabic criticism, Dean of Student Affairs at the University of Gadarif, and Dean of Libraries. He is now suffering from cancer and commutes between the oncology center and his home, writing, observing the scene in his community, hoping to find solace in reform.