The Palm Tree

We had fought and won The internecine war; The foreigners had demarcated Their spoils on our land But our spirit of struggle Our thirst for freedom- Kept burning within our hearts. Our vow and determination To recapture our terre To tender our palm tree- These, too, kept burning With rage and vengeance! Our thoughts no longer hazy Our deeds no longer wavy- But studied and firm Our men advanced sure of foot. Vengeance is ours- And not the Lord’s! For we know, liberated, Even here All manner of genius May grow… Turning pages of transformation From centuries of silent mutation To an eternity of unqualified progress. Where the wheels of oppression Have finally ground to a halt There shall be found The masses that struggle! (Written for those dark times, happily, now past)