Envied Old Granny

I am Africa, that old but envied Granny Since Adam and Eve, I lived many moons Many greed what the Creator gave me He crafted me with valuable stones and beauty He made me natural, proud and virgin Stamina he gave me to feed my people Long peace, I dream for my family I am Africa, that black desired Granny But I have been pillaged, wounded My guts and people agonized My family got split by blizzards Now I am crying for my generations Our history has been stolen or buried But I am tireless to recover it; I am prolific I am that envied and sleepless Granny I am saddened foes invaded our land They are stealing family children to trade them They resettle them far away in deserts To sleep, they weave nests in plantations There I will no more see them The huts and families they left miss them Still, I am that courageous and coveted Granny Although invaders reached our plots To rape our bodies, souls and lands We claimed here and there; we were killed Our blood shed, but we got freedom We sang, clapped hands and danced for joy I know my sons are on power Being that determined wakeful Granny I thought we could repair the damages And sing the song of peace universally Alas, my brood grew Cain and Abel They started eating one another Spears and arrows spoke in villages So I became more morally hurt than ever And today as we all are around the fire A reminder to you with a people’s drum Beat the barrel not to alter our Book Beat it to eschew hatred and spears Beat it to trigger committed toil and unity Beat it for the sun is shining tomorrow My legacy to you all: RESPECT THE BOOK. Poem by Mugisho N Theophile