AFRICA IS MY SALVATION!!!

AFRICA
By David Diop (Senegal)

Africa my Africa,
Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs.
Africa of whom my grandmother sings.
On the banks of the distant river,
I have never known you.
But your blood flows in my veins.
Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields.
The blood of your sweat.
The sweat of your work.
The work of your slavery.
The slavery of your children.
Africa tell me Africa,
Is this you this back that is bent?
This back that breaks under the weight of humiliation.
This back trembling with red scars.
And saying yes to the whip under the midday sun.
But a grave voice answers me.
Impetuous son that tree young and strong,
That tree there,
In splendid loneliness amidst white and faded flowers,
That is Africa your Africa.
That grows again patiently obstinately,
And its fruit gradually acquires,
The bitter taste of liberty.

~ by allumes on March 8, 2008.