This book contains thoughts and poems of a bright, romantic 15-year-old girl who lives in a village in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Hope, who called herself "Mogokolodi" when we first corresponded, submitted the first two "thoughts" and I incorporated them in another book from an author who I thought was in the same area. Hope never did see them in print. 

South Africa is a huge country and Limpopo Province is very large too. 

I encouraged Hope to send me more poems or other writing and this is the result. 

Hope is mature beyond her years. Her insights tell me that the youth of the world are well-educated, have universal desires, suffer similar pains and angst in their teenage years, and are a delight to know. 

This is an example of her thoughts:

I have been to the worst, far from the better and I've struggled to accept my broken heart. 

I cursed the day I met you. You seemed to be a decent person, one who could never harm even a fly, but how was I to know the bitterness within you.
 

I curse the day you brought shame and hatred upon my heart. I don't know how to love anymore and it's all because of your stupid, inconsiderate actions. I gave myself to you, but what I got in return was not what I had expected. As they say "great expectations often lead to great disappointments". You brought more meaning to that.
 

I cried and cried, but it seemed that my cry was not loud enough for you to come and comfort me. Why do you do bad things? You know that I'm human and I’ve got feelings too. Why is it that your heart contains more evil than good?
 

Truly speaking, I shouldn't have judged you before getting to know you better, but how was I to know you would shatter me into pieces. 

Sepedi se re "go se tsebe ke kotse". (Sometimes not knowing something is a crime.)

 This is a sample of Given's Poetry:

Backwards

You only tell me how much

you miss and love me

when you see me walking backwards.

I stood under your umbrella

but still

the rain reached me

It is a habit

But this time...

I will walk, walk and walk

until I become one with the darkness