Ginger

By Rita Mamavi

Ginger!

You hang above my head They say you protect me But I don't understand Because they tell me If I jump over you Til die.

You kill And you protect?

I don’t understand.

What are you?

Who is behind you To protect me?

And to kill!

Are you my ancestor?

Sometimes I think you Just hang there With no purpose at all.

But you make me wonder.

Ginger. (The ginger root' is placed on the roof as a charm for warding off death.}