Africa

Dust devils try to suckle on your breast Illusions of water shimmer on the horizon Stirring up the dust bowls on your barren chest Your body adorned with skeletons of your children. As evening nears the sun cries tears of blood For the thirsty children of the dry scorched earth Scrambling for life giving succor in holes of mud That once was lakes, filled by songbird's mirth. And your children cry out in deep despair As even the mud holes turn to arid dust. Thirst and hunger are rampant everywhere As they search for nourishment in your crust. Flimsy smudges in the dusty sky Streaking as on high winds they ride, Slowly forming cotton balls way up high Abstract shapes that drift and glide. A silly little wind comes out to play Frolicking through the red brown sand, Swirling and twirling every which way Touching and tickling the dusty land. Majestic the clouds now swell and grow Towering monoliths touched with blue. Shards of lightning flickers back and fro Distant rumblings, as if right on cue. Powder puffs of single raindrops fall Rolling drumbeat in crescendo grow. Veils of rain a steel gray wall Thunderstorm a majestic show. Your children frolic in bubbling streams Your body transformed into God's garden. Continent of nightmares and golden dreams, A rainbow vision of God's merciful pardon.