Of hand washing clothes on the back lawn
Of boiling kettles water for hot bucket baths
Of walking to school to teach kids maths
Of uncomfortable rides in overcrowded cars
Of eating xima and pork at local bars
Of setting small fires to burn my own trash
Of waiting in long lines to withdraw cash
Of nodding through conversations without knowing what's said
Of becoming friends with the ladies who sell me bread
Of eating countless meals of rice and beans
Of 80 degree days being cold enough for jeans
Of wearing a white bata that can never stay clean
Of trying to turn down proposals without seeming mean
Of redefining my identity when I meet someone new
Of explaining that Americans can look like me too
Of mosquitos attacking every inch of my skin
Of candlelit nights drinking grape juice and gin
Of living in a house with a ceiling of bats
Of hanging out with children on dusty straw mats
Of disgusting diarrhea that never ends
Of missing weddings at home of my best friends
Of breaking into my house when I forget my key
Of dropping my sweater into puddles of pee
Of PCV friends who can lift sour moods
Of international music festivals with delicious foods
Of finishing a marathon and coming in last
Of traveling without plans but having a blast
Of king sized beds in vacation dream homes
Of miles of sandy, white beaches to roam
Of private boat rides across a blue lagoon
Of swimming under the light of the moon
Of people fawning over my silky black hair
Of learning to dance with Mozambican flair
Of picking out fabrics for custom-made dresses
Of cooking new foods and making big messes
Of invitations to homes from people I've just met
Of realizing how much my body can sweat
Of making new friends while hitching a ride
Of neighborhood kids shouting my name with pride
Of learning new languages and trying new things
Of the excitement of not knowing what each day brings
Of days where I've laughed and days where I've cried
Of 52 weeks on this emotional roller coaster ride
Here's to a year.
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