He came into my office one morning

informing me that his sister’s husband

had been killed in the clashes

     I offered condolences.

It was his responsibility    

to educate and care

for his sister’s son

Several days later

I inquired about his sister

    “Oh, my cousin is fine”

“But I thought

it was your sister’s husband

who was killed”

His complex explanation

of his relationship to this woman

made it clear

that in Africa

little distinction is made

     between cousins and sisters

     between mothers and aunts

     between fathers and uncles

All belong

to one large

extended family