Then and now

 

In past now cloudy to mind's recall
ere the swarm of pale faces unbeknownst
ere the vile deflowering of alkebulan's rivers
ere the rape and pillage of sacred forests
children of afruika split four winds
with songs storied of a thousand ages
maidens of aithiopia undelifed with faces
shades akin to tanned ivory would sway
to the distant rumblings of ancient drums
deep within the stone walls of zimbabwe
from the wide shores of the sea of sand
to the narrowing of shaka's resting place
the sons of nubia would sing from within
tales of the hunt; the conjuring of Niger hands
of kindred flames, the straight circle of our fathers
We were full with veined crimson, in the eyes, soul
slept in same womb, same black milk
at the pinnacle of the moon's pride
did we dance with the cub of the grey lion
hayenas laughed, so laughed the children
to comic fables from retired breasts
In our stomachs, peace; in our hair, pride;
the sun crept below to die yet again
Lo did they come riding the sea's waves
Lo did come some across the beige sands of fire
each with scrolls, mirrors, magic and new songs
We fell to sleep, Lo did dreams become we
the sun awoke, tired, old, cold, low
in the morning we forgot our name
and still the names of our fathers.
- - Henry Akuete