Who Will Redeem You, Mother Africa?

Africa…. Just the mention of her name creates a range of mixed feelings  
Feelings of joy, disappointment and rage, leave me baffled, exhausted!
So vast and beautiful is this land blessed with amazing contrasts 
From her people that range in colors, blue black to creamy white
From the snow covered peaks of Mt Kilimanjaro
To the golden hued savannahs, 
From the fertile valleys of her plains
To jungles and rivers teeming with life; her expanding desert devouring the land

You once were so full of promise, now you're like a left over meal
Best of which the masters have eaten, now only scraps and bones remain
Your children still go hungry and the strong fight over crumbs
The mighty rule with guns and tanks; the weak, out of fear, recoil
Incredibly, riches still abound, and yet, your children are denied
No longer by slave masters on ships from abroad
But by native sons dressed in military garb

Who will redeem you Mother Africa?
Will your sons ever put you first?
Perhaps it’s time you rewrite your history
Elevate your daughters instead?

*This dedication to Africa comes from my heart with love..the original birthplace of half my 
ancestors.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Conway Avatar
July 2, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Beautifully expressed poem Audrey! Congrat's on your win!~Tirzah~
Spence Sr Avatar
July 1, 2010 at 12:34 PM
This is a very expressive piece regarding Africa. The images from the words are vast and crisp. The use of the rhetorical question certainly brings out another reality from the poem. I like the essence of the piece and its plea for redemption. Blessings, Joseph
K. Avatar
July 1, 2010 at 10:04 AM
what a very moving poem about Africa, Audrey! Your dedication truly comes from the heart and one can feel it through this write---congrats on your win with this Audrey-very well deserved!! --nikko :)
Brown Avatar
July 1, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Congratulations Audrey on your win in Adeleke Adeite's contest "Africans Attutude" Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
June 30, 2010 at 3:17 PM
Congrats Audrey my BBF and what an awesome entry.. congrats on this wonderful write and win.. bravo my friend.. enjoy .. with luv from the "Sweetheart" in Hawaii..on vacation.. .forever I hope..luv..
Adeite Avatar
June 30, 2010 at 12:43 PM
This piece is just incredible! I love each lines and the passion with which you write. i feel proud to be African Accept my warm congrats. Thanks for supporting my contest. I wish you all the best with your writings. You are going places! Love, ~Adeleke~.
Dietrich Avatar
June 27, 2010 at 11:10 PM
Hi, Audrey. sorry I misread that one poem. In my case it's a "someone" who is jealous of me always writing poems! As for this one, I just love how you took this challenge. I feel the same way that you have depicted AFrica in this poem, but not being connected to it in any way, I felt uncomfortable to write of it. This is from your acestory and from your heart. I think it is the best I have seen yet in this contest. Good luck, dear! I too hope Africa reclaims her splendor. Luv, Andrea
Rhinem Avatar
June 27, 2010 at 9:12 PM
Smile! "Yes," the pillage of of a great nation Africa--beginning in the 14th and 15th centuries--the three greatest foes; guns, disease and divide and conquer--Smile, what a beautiful and soul-felt poem Precious Audrey! This is definitely one of Your most profound and colourful portraits of artistic splendor dear lady! Very very beautiful indeed! My Love to You Always, John!:) ~
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