far

Poetry

Dear Africa

Albrin Junior
issue three

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Dear Africa 

I must pronounce your name 

For yours is a glorious heritage 

That transcends through hills and Savannah 

Over a unique continent vast in size 

Where the Mediterranean Sea laps the Northern coast,

The Atlantic Ocean crashes against the Western coast

And the Indian Ocean borders the Eastern coast. 

You have two seasons: dry and wet. 

In the dry season, 

Falling leaves rustle down idle brown trees, 

And the scorching sun in full bloom 

Brushes against your black skin 

Yet your crust unhurt by its violent rays 

For you are a race with black melanin skin. 

The wet season brings giant splashes of rain 

Which sodden the red sands 

Soiling children’s playground frocks 

And nurturing a diligent farmer’s crops.

 

I must speak about your fascinating tradition 

Which spread across 54 children, all dwelling 

In the essence of richness and beauty. 

How can I not talk about the traditional clothes you wear?

Like Kente, worn across the Gold Coast of Ghana,

Hebesha Kemis, worn by the beautiful women of Ethiopia,

The Shuka and the Isidwaba dresses, worn by the

Tanzanians, the Kenyans and the Zulu’s of South Africa.

If I do not mention the— 

Iro ati Buba, which is native to Yoruba women of Nigeria,

Or the Isiagu, also known as the head of a leopard,

Deeply rooted among the Igbo people of South-East Nigeria—

Then I have mentioned nothing at all. 

Dear Africa, 

I see the children you’ve birthed; 

Strong, brave men with a noble heritage. 

Manly, nothing to prove nor deny 

And in all things, striving to be just. 

I see the women, too; 

Strong, Black, Bold and Beautiful

Proud mothers of a black and comely populace

With spirited and fearless hearts. 

Dear Africa, 

I must pronounce your name; 

For your resilience, ambitions and wealth of creativity

Sprawled across the lush green landscape.

Your very existence makes up for other things in life

And the emotions you evoke are a luxury of souls.

No words enough can describe your grandeur,

Nor can one poem express all your beauty.