Upon the reed of Somalia’s horn
a call sounds out and does not quiet
until it ripples across to Senegal’s reverberating basin:
Weep, O Mother Africa,
for the day is short
but blisters the faces
of your bright-eyed children!
From off your fields and mountain heights
were thrown colonialism’s heavy cloaks
to blow away, westward,
on wicked winds that brought them.
Why then, when last restraints were yet aloft,
did you grasp, and tightly wrap them back
about your own bosom
to spoil the children’s milk?
(They thirst, and thirst still.)
Arise! Arise in full, regenerate negritude,
oh fairest Mother! Reclaim your soul!
Cast off foul, ever-binding harness,
that swollen, supple breasts may drip
their milky sustenance once more
to suckle lips long parched
by greed’s merciless chaffing.
Dismember corruption’s bitter hold
that yet claws at orphaned souls, dispersed!
And though your cry will sound
around the hemispheres,
gather them again beneath your soothing shade
and weep, oh weep, for your children,
that they
may weep no more!
Author notes
The “Horn of Africa,” an extension of land between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden, is occupied by several culturally inter-linked countries, including Africa’s easternmost country, Somalia.
Senegal, Africa’s westernmost country, is situated in a depression known as the Senegal-Mauritanian Basin.
PROMPT: Surge et Ambula [Get Up and Walk] by Antonio Rui de Noronha and PK's words . . . "I found his voice . . . a call from an African to all Africans to stand against their difficulties, see the ultimate dangers of continuing to ignore pressing needs."
Kiswahili title translation : Weep, Mother Africa!
In a list
A contest entry
- Surge et Ambula [ get up and walk] by Peteskid.
1800 points, ended May 28, 8 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Prewrite 1000 pt. Checklist by Ryno.
1000 points, ended July 18, 51 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Awesome piece of artistic writing
BY far you amaze me more than anyother Ten, your words carry the strength of conviction, this is more desrving of gold than anyother that i have read recently, the words themselves are golden and rendered so masterfully here, bravo
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_Yes_ Creativity / Originality
_Yes_ Imagery
_Yes_ Metaphor
_Yes_ Emotion
_Yes_ Reaction
_Yes_ Relatability
_Yes_ Fluency
_Yes_ Powerful Beginning
_Yes_ Powerful Middle
_Yes_ Powerful Ending
_Yes_ Connecting Ideas
_Yes_ Interesting Idea Behind Piece and/or a Message Behind Piece
_Yes_ Interesting In General (Does Not Bore) -
Congratulations on winning the gold for this masterful work, it was certainly well deserved! I agree with Carol, get thee to a publisher with this!
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Arise! Arise in full, regenerate negritude,
oh fairest Mother! Reclaim your soul!
This is a wonderful call to the maternal bosom of Africa. I do feel there will be an increase in womens' groups around the world in the near future, as was the case in Ireland. Womens' voices must ring out the changes, a call to arms (as in nurturing) because men have only brought war and disharmony, time is running out and new insights must be adopted.
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I really think this poem is good. I felt it impacted me a lot, I have been thinking a lot about Africa and I feel that it is a difficult situation that is getting worse, and we need to help.
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Congratulations
I am so pleased to see gold on this wonderful entry. Well done. Very very well done. ~Pamela
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A very beautiful piece Ten, it has such power through reflection. Truth stands beating a drum, and your piece could be song to its slow and steady rhythm. Excellent, hugs, Bunny
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Sound that horn, indeed. What magnificient penning. This is work that needs to be published....I wills end you a private note. I have just the place for it to go.
This reads like the sound of old drums.... Bravo!
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Absolutely love it!
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You know I would adore this and I do...Loves ya ,Chez
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Maybe its just me, or my mood, but i felt a resonance when reading this and a need to pause...for it matters not the owner of the words, when truth is rung and sounds like a bell; to be felt and heard by all...such was the wisdom of de Noronha, sound a bell poet that can be felt and people might stand and walk into light. Thank you for this fine entry into the contest an best of luck in the judging...PK
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