Widow's Poem

Is it a sin to be a widow?
 
Oh Lord, what have I done to deserve this?
What unforgivable sin have I committed?
Death you are cruel and heartless.
You have taken away my husband, the father of my children.
Now I’m called a widow and my children are called orphans, the names we didn’t have before.
 
Here I am without a husband and helper who died just because death is a must.
I’m so lonely and depressed while other women are filled with laughter.
With all these children to look after I’m desperate.
I have to send them to school.
I have to feed and clothe them.
 
But I have no money and everything I was left with was grabbed by my husband’s relatives.
Now I am hopeless and I have become a destitute.
IS IT A SIN TO BE A WIDOW?
My friends have deserted me.
My relatives have forsaken me.
 
I’m avoided like one with aids or leprosy.
Oh Lord, why Lord, why?
Have mercy on me Lord.
Exodus 22:22 tells us not to afflict widows and orphans.
Don’t forget that once these people were like you rich, prosperous and happy,
And one day you will be like them poor, desperate and sad.
 
Remember that life is like a butterfly, it flies away.
And one day the life you depend on so much will fly away and you will become either a widow or an orphan and you will be sad indeed.
 
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written by one of the widows in Zambia