Eighteen years ago, a Halloween 'morn
With eyes of baby blue, Iyla was born
She grew, we knew, she came from the best stock
Perfect pedigree, Neikirk and Peacock
Her nature's in Nature, Earth and water
She loves travel and all that it's taught her
San Miguel stay nine months she did venture
Wait what!?!?! A Tanzanian adventure
Now high school grad, college credit galore
Time to decide what is next and in store
True team player saving funds for first year
Fashion, business...or both? Find her career
Sweet Iyla! The world is out there for you!!
SO proud! 'Tis the fam loves you through and through
In the bush the dancing begins early
Leather drums call from far and near.
Steady rhythms mark timed steps, and
Swahili is proudly spoken here; come
Join festive reveler from the village,
Flee to the running brook you see
Asante for being here...for being alive!
Listed #51 in Top 100 Poems
on Poetry Soup
March 23, 2021
Listed #61 in Top 100 Poems
on Poetry Soup
March 7, 2021
HONORABLE MENTION
Poetry Contest - All Poetry
sponsored by Kwame Cunningham
July 26, 2021
Here is peace
Here is love
Here in unite
We are welcome everyone
We love all people.
We are in east Africa
We are Tanzanian
People of people
People who need people
Our county is Tanzania.
Welcome to see
Largest mountain in Africa
The peak of this continent
Where Chaga people and other leave
Welcome to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Welcome to enjoy
And meet with people
Do the coffee tour
And see Mount Meru
Proud of southern
Here is only in the world
Where wild animal and people
They live together with happy
In park of Ngorongoro
Welcome to see Maasai.
Welcome to see the tree of life
Fruit is sweat
Taste to enjoy
Fruit of Baobab
The largest tree in Africa
Welcome to Manyara and Serenget
Welcome to burigi and Saanane
Saadani,Jozani and Katavi
Tarangire,Kitulo and Mahale
Some of our parks
We say ‘’Karibu’’ means welcome
We say ‘’Asante’’ means thank you
We love you
We love everyone
Welcome to Tanzania
Idd Ninga
Arusha Tanzania
Xenophobia
We are not seeing the Africa inspired by Mandiba.
We are not seeing the Africa inspired by our
Ancient Kings of rusted spear and shield.
This is not Africa!
This is African inspired after colonization,
The one set at the period of imperialism.
The Berlin conference of 1884-85.
The oppressors have been winning a long time now
Comes the south Africa against all Africa
Shame should slam the face of south African
Who are perpetrating the brutal and barbaric act.
In Bloemfontein sudden death of our brothers we see
The Nigeria, Somalian, Ghanaian, Tanzanian
Contribute the rescue of there black brothers
When they suffer under apartheid
We are the most divided and dysfunction race on the planet
The whitish have called the black land there home
Our fellow black man is been oppress and sabotage
Our black woman and her infant child have turn to runaway slave
Chasing her with all metallurgy
We allow the line of boarders to separate us.
Nineteen nosey newts nudged nasty nautical nannies
Eighteen eager ermines excitedly edged everyone’s ego
Seventeen sacred slugs sat sideways searching seagulls
Sixteen slippery snails slid southwards sipping sangria
Fifteen flowery foxes fell forward fondling fuchsias
Fourteen frantic fleas froze fighting frightening fanatics
Twelve twiddling tigers told thirteen tasteless tales
Eleven elderly elephants embellished eighteen ebony earrings
Ten terrified tardy ticks tricked two thirsty Turkish tramps
Nine naughty nasal know-it-alls knew nothing nearing knowledge
Eight elastic earthworms echoed eighty edgy Egyptians
Seven solemn snakes slithered slowly sensing sunshine
Six sassy silk-moths sceptically squished spinach selfishly
Five funny fatties feared following fancy French fashion
Four fantastic faithful Finnish flies faked famous farcical facelifts
Three tenacious terriers thrilled twelve tipsy throbbing thespians
Two tireless Tanzanian tapirs tittle tattled tirelessly throughout Tuesday
One obedient oily octopus offered obnoxious orangutans oranges outrageously
The quiet
Tanzanian Village
Rest between
Twin moons, but
We split this sky
tiny Tanzanian Village
still
resting between
the
twin moons
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