Africa.

This is something I'd normally post on my blog, but I'm guessing It'll get more attention here.  I hope you like it.  If you do and you want to read more poetry and responses (or you wanna read some of what I wrote, both poetry and journal entries about Africa), check out the blog at

http://maddiefireman.typepad.com/maddie

Africa by Maya Angelou.

Africa.
Thus she had lain
sugercane sweet
deserts her hair
golden her feet
mountains her breasts
two Niles her tears.
Thus she has lain
Black through the years.

Over the white seas
rime white and cold
brigands ungentled
icicle bold
took her young daughters
sold her strong sons
churched her with Jesus
bled her with guns.
Thus she has lain.

Now she is rising
remember her pain
remember the losses
her screams loud and vain
remember her riches
her history slain
now she is striding
although she has lain.

I love this poem.  I loved it the first time I read it in Mr. Verde's class.  I loved it even more when I found it the day after I returned from my life-changing visit to Uganda.  It is so beautiful and true .  It spoke to me the way Uganda itself spoke to me.

I hope this makes a little sense - my rambling, I mean.  Africa means so much to me.  I feel so very connected to it, and I want to go back.  I need to go back.  Africa is standing, speaking, crying, screaming, singing.  She wants to be heard.  Listen to her.  Visit her.  Help mend her and preserve her ancient culture.  She is a beautiful woman.

Comments

[Marlana Fireman]

I swear. If you do not take me with you next time you go to Africa, I will die. Therefore, you are taking me. End of story.