Why Oh Africa

Oh Africa, my Africa
You have the birthmark of civilisation
But shaped like a question mark of nations
Asking us why we flee
When we claim to be free
Your skies are the earth's brightest
But your land swallows the most innocent
If the wounds of slavery have healed
Why do we still run for the hills?
Those you gave us to lead
Have abandoned us to bleed
They dig your land for mass graves
They trade your stones for blood shed
My Africa, you are the pain under the headdress on a woman
My Africa, you are an empty bowl in the hands of the poor
My Africa, you are the empty words of a politician
My Africa, you are sailing and lost on the Mediterranean
What happened to your drums of victory?
What happened to the pride of your history?
We remember your dream on the 25th of May
And forget about it on the next day
Oh Africa, my Africa
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
November 3, 2019 at 8:04 AM
Wow - what a powerful first posting to welcome you into the PoetrySoup family, Michelo. This is such a strong poem. A FAVE for me.
Lamoureux Avatar
October 18, 2019 at 12:47 AM
What a powerful first offering to the soup. I wrote a piece called Rose Coloured glasses that you might appreciate. Once again This is incredible.
Vaso Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 2:30 AM
I really enjoyed the emotion you have expressed, the love, and the plight of your poem! :) nice to meet you.
Mweetwa Avatar
April 28, 2018 at 3:25 AM
Thanks, nice to meet you too
Krutsinger Avatar
April 10, 2018 at 3:58 AM
I love it, but I have no idea what it means about the 25th of May. Please don't hold me hostage here forever. What is the 25th of MAY? Thank you.
Mweetwa Avatar
April 12, 2018 at 11:19 AM
African freedom day!
Banda Avatar
December 20, 2017 at 8:58 AM
Most Captivating...I have no words
Mweetwa Avatar
December 25, 2017 at 11:18 AM
Thank you Bertrand!
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