Zambia was my mother—
shaped like a butterfly resting in the heart of Africa,
her wings curved not by nature alone,
but by the lines of empires
who came to take what was never theirs.
They called her Northern Rhodesia,
after tasting the sweetness of her soil
and stealing the copper from her veins.
Her rivers run wild with spirit—
the Zambezi roaring with ancient songs,
Victoria Falls spilling the Smoke that Thunders,
blessing the weary and healing the broken.
She faces the Scorpio Sun,
and her children, like copper,
are strong yet quiet—
holding centuries in their silence.
Kenneth Kaunda once walked her soil,
weeping for Africa when she was in chains,
rejoicing when she rose again.
Zambia holds the bones of my ancestors
and the dreams of the unborn.
Her wilderness breathes with lions,
her sunsets bleed crimson into the night.
Africa cradles her,
and she cradles me.
When I return to dust,
let me rest in her copper-red earth—
for Zambia was my Mother,
and Africa is my Heaven.
I wish I could speak Shona fluently
Trace the paths of old Zimbabwe
From the ancient cliffs of Chinoyi
To Nelson Mandela Avenue’s concrete.
But wishes, like dreams
Are shooting stars across the night
Lighting the sky with fleeting grace
Yet slipping beyond reach.
So I dream still
Of the misty beauty at Victoria Falls
Of a land where children laugh and learn
Well-fed, and free to roam.
I dream of Zimbabwe
Where no hand needs greasing
Where healing is a right
And greed is but a forgotten word.
Santa told Rudolph to stay on the roof
He’d be delayed for his wife wanted proof
That it’s just she for he
So they’re under the tree
She saw his old baubles and cried, “Forsooth.”
Frosty was sat in the garden below
Rudolph called down, Make some balls out of snow
Then give them to elf
Or take them yourself
Be sure to avoid the log burner’s glow
Santa Claus stood; in his hands… Frosty’s balls
Poor Frosty dripped like Victoria Falls
His log burner muddle
Made Frosty a puddle
Santa said, Now I’ll be late… nature calls
Victoria Falls
The natural paradise
Very impressive
What if we lost, the Great Pyramid of Giza?
What if it collapsed, the Roman Coliseum?
What if the Great Wall of China, was suddenly gone?
The Hagia Sophia...was nothing but a song.
What if Stone Henge, had never been found?
The Machu Picchu...laid deep underground.
What if the Taj Mahal, had only been a dream?
The Great Empire State Building...fell apart at the seams.
What if the Golden Gate Bridge, was not there to cross?
The Victoria Falls...dried up with no cause.
What if no eyes, were ever laid on the Great Barrier Reef?
The CN Tower...fell flat at our feet.
Try to imagine the Chichen Itza, with no morning sun.
That the old city of Jerusalem...had never been done.
What if the Aurora Borealis, had never been there?
The Grand Canyon walls...were all flat and bare.
For all of these wonders, how sad would it be.
If none of them were here, for the whole world to see.
With a heartfelt sigh and one teary sniff.
I sit and I wonder...what if.
Want to go where hippos, rhinos, and elephants roam?
Want to see some things you will never see at home?
Zimbabwe is the place to travel. Victoria Falls will delight.
National Gallery of Zimbabwe is full of wonderful light.
Victoria Falls drops into the Batoka Gorge with real beauty.
I think we should head to Africa, it feels like our duty.
Matusadona and Mana Pools National Parks would keep us busy.
Watching the giraffes and zebras, might put us in a tizzy.
The sights we would see there would be with us the rest of our life.
White water rafting and bungee jumping we could do with no strife.
Want to go where hippos might chase us into the trees?
Zimbabwe, Mom. Can we go there just once, please?
30 possible destinations.
Outstanding in a variety of ways.
12 stood out immediately.
Kindness meant we would listen to everyone’s ideas.
25 women thought they might go.
Did anyone think of Belgium? Their chocolate is amazing!
7 dropped out right away due to the cost.
Paring down countries fast now, due to news reports.
22 women are still serious about a trip.
Wiggling with excitement.
45 days until we leave.
New to traveling, one is nervous. We reassure her.
9 grown women have tickets now.
Giggling with enthusiasm.
31 days until we leave.
Unusual trip is what we wanted.
51 brochures on the table.
Victoria Falls sounds wonderful!
3 of us wanting to bungee jump.
Zimbabwe here we come!
The most beautiful sight in this wide world
Is not lovely tints of the Taj Mahal,
Nor the wash and roar of Niagara
And mighty misty Victoria Falls.
Not even a newborn’s soft sweet wet smile,
Nor snow-capped peaks ‘gainst a crisp blue sky;
Not silhouettes formed on a sunset beach
Or limpid eyes of lovers first to meet.
No, the most beautiful sight in the world,
Is unknown to the travelling elite,
They search and awe and long for its finding,
While wearing Farragamos on their feet.
The answer is plain, and deep down in my heart.
The answer is my own tree-arched back yard.
The mosquitoes were dancing outside net,
Singing their treacherous songs of death;
“Let us in, we need your blood”.
I rose and rushed out of
The brick and pole cottage
From liquid waste demands,
Having been carousing in solitude
Till evening.
A daunting huge elephant treated itself
To ivory-honey fruit from tall trees,
The flapping of ears denoted peace,
It was in invasion of my residence.
Even in the full moon that night,
The smoke could be seen rising
Against the star studded sky,
There, where the Zambezi waters plunge
Into deep gorges,
My heart whispered,
Again, welcome to Victoria Falls.
Let me take you on a journey to my motherland.
Where beauty meets the eye of the beholder.
Where the sun burns and glistens on my brown skin.
Where the children play freely with no care in the world
Where the market place stands like a rainbow with different coloured materials
Where there are 54 countries.
Standing together to make up my motherland.
Where culture is amazingly fascinating
Where a great leader once lived.
Where they are mouth-watering fruits.
I have to say my motherland is worth the visit.
Glide through the safari,
Take a dive in the Victoria Falls if you dare,
Jive with the Maaasai tribe,
Receive the experience of a lifetime.
I have to say my motherland is worth the visit.
By Christina Okorie
Her Empress, Shaniqua,
The Princess of Sauerstown;
Picked me up at a farm
In Victoria Falls;
She cleansed me and paid off
All my debts,
Took me to the City of Kings;
I remain indebted to her,
May the legions know.
This is utter rubbish.
Rubbish is my middle name,
That's why you picked me.
Six to eight African nations
count on the powerful Zambezi.
Rightly called their river of life -
its wilderness lets wildlife roam free.
Batoka Gorge attracts tourists as
Victoria Falls' wet smoke thunders.
Two dams provide hydroelectric pow'r
but many in south Africa wonder -
What "dam"age would another one bring?
Does an ecosystem have a right to
freedom from economic encroachment?
Think what a Zambezi Seaway might do?
started February 27, 2017, revised April 3, 2017
with rhyme and new focus.
My heart for you overflows into a waterfall of turbulence
As lady Victoria falls a thousand feet of jubilance
The spark lingers on long after you disappear
My eyes learning to see only when you reappear
Inamorata, you are my guilty pleasure, my only leisure
I indulge in you quietly like an aloof voyageur
Engrossed in the subtle rhythm of the drum
Beating in the gentle choreography of your bum
In your waltz I have found the tempo to my life
Your poise gives purpose to my daily strife
I wish to make you the statue of my liberty
And walk flame in hand through eternity
Redoubtable, unparalleled
Victoria Falls displays the
power of the Zambezi River.
Carving through basalt rock
from an ancient volcano the Zambezi
deserves the awesome accolades of its
native audience - the Smoke that Thunders.
Work more trenchant still, this river
provides subsistence, protection,
and inspiration for people in six
southern African nations.
The Zambezi is rightfully called
their river of life, christened by
their hallowed, Nyami, Nyami!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Victoria5.jpg
My only wish
My only wish right now
Is to step out of my comfort zone
Shine brighter than the moonlight
My only wish
My only wish right now
Is to put a smile on his face
Smile like he just had he's first taste of ice cream
My only wish
My only wish right now
Is to make him proud
Proud like an Eagle streching its wings
My biggest wish
My biggest wish right now
Is that when hes time has passed
He will know he has done his part
Seven months
Seven months is all i have
To work hard
Like architectural ants building an ant hill
Yes I will
I will make him a proud father indeed
To a point where his manhood surrenders to his emotions
Tears streaming down his face at great magnitude like the victoria falls
So tonight
I shall wish upon a star
Hoping that my biggest wish
Comes true
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