Child, Stand Up

Child , stand up
Clothes deemed unfashionable
by followers with no individuality
Kinky locks not straight enough
according to those with no self realization
The stiffness in your tongue bearing testament
to your mother tongue, to which they laugh at, why?

You're Mahogany, sanded and buffed
well crafted and glossed to a high sheen

Vulnerable yet resilience is you
Intelligent yet humility is you
Poor yet generosity is you

Yes, you are all that and more
because you have captured and nurtured
a knowledge and pride in self

Your smile glows from within
as it brightens your surrounds
Don't be shackled with self doubt
for your strength feeds multitudes.
Your gentleness comforting many.

As you wear your head gear to dance,
dance till you turn up the dust
each muscle sinew in perfect coordination,
sweat weaving in between the seamless strings
of those beads crafted and carried with pride.

Roar with song!
Share your history through lore
Ululate till the sound carries to the heavens,
breaking the skies open with torrents of nourishing rains falling,
falling.
This ,Africa, is what you are...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

Poem

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Flower Avatar
April 8, 2016 at 1:33 AM
Nice piece you have here and congrats on your POTD recognition!
Ncwana Avatar
April 9, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Thank you :)
Roper Avatar
April 8, 2016 at 1:11 AM
Enjoyed reading your poem, Abongile, Congratulations on poem of the day!!
Ncwana Avatar
April 9, 2016 at 5:00 PM
Thank you :)
Dalei Avatar
April 8, 2016 at 12:26 AM
Hi Abongile, It's outstanding.Congrats for POTD. I enjoyed ur entire poem....hugs
Ncwana Avatar
April 9, 2016 at 5:01 PM
Thank you :)
Negron Flores Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 9:10 PM
Congratulations on the poem of the day Abongile
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:15 PM
Thank you
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:14 PM
Sergi Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 12:37 PM
You have definitely epitomized Poetry and Africa with such rthymn and emotion. My compliments, Abongile!
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:17 PM
Thank you :)
Nance Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 12:22 PM
Great poem of the day showcase, well done.
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:27 PM
Thank you :)
Person Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:46 AM
soul of Africa is carved in these beautiful words...
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 10:26 PM
Thank you :)
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 9:57 AM
despite the theme, any critique on wording, form, the poem itself?
Andresen Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 8:41 AM
- A great poem, Abongile :) - Congrats on your p.o.t.d. !!! - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Ncwana Avatar
April 7, 2016 at 9:33 AM
THANK YOU, SOUPERS! ;) Like I said, I'm immensely proud of my heritage and roots... Sadly, through colonization, we've been thoroughly indoctrinated to believe that our culture is inferior.
Ncwana Avatar
April 5, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Proudly African!
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