The Land of My Birth

I left you long ago for a place unknown Every time I remember how it used to be My heart is always flooded with memories It was not always about the running water, electricity or the good roads It was simply about the rich abiding love that people shared with others If I did not show up at church, somebody stopped by to check that I was okay If they did not turn up at a place, it was my duty to be certain that everything was alright Neighbors were family friends not just people you waved to Deeds were done not for a fee but out of love and that was the way we rolled I became a mother for the first time in a strange land, I could not be more lonely Husband had to go to school, I had no one to turn to I called my Mama, thousands of miles in Africa, I wept and wept All she could say was, "baby you can do it" you go on and be blessed It was tough, it was hard but I made it If I did not know God in a personal way, I might have lost it I miss you Oh land of my birth every now and then The laughter, the pure joy, the unfailing love I shared with others The help of others that was always at hand Everyone looking for what they could give not what they could get Though you have your share of woes but you are still the land of my birth Though you are still developing as a nation, you have qualities that can not be compared I have found a home in this place, it is no longer strange I have been blessed with a family and friends that do care