A Song for Africa May 2007
(For John and Simon)
1
Come when you’re ready, the door’s always open
The locks and keys are all missing and everything’s broken
Ain’t no sign or number saying “this way, or that”
But then I never had to tell you, where I was at
I’m not hard to find, when you know how to find me
Dragging that old suitcase of memories behind me
Just come when you’re ready, burn your bridges all down
Let your heart do the talkin’
And your feet do the walkin’
“Cause they know where you’re bound
2
Come in the winter, come in the fall, but let me tell you
That the springtime is the best time of them all
When the poppy and daffodil burst into flame
The whole countryside’s on fire,
Every village and shire, echoing one name
This is England, my England,
I’ll never leave her again
And there’s a message going out on the wire tonight
And if I’m hearing it right, someone’s whispering my name;
“Welcome home, welcome home boy,
We’re so glad that you came!”
3
But I’m still out there on the deck, every Saturday night
Hangin’ loose, what the heck, and the mood is just right
Simon’s the D.J. I watch him sliding between
A cut-throat, African sunset, and the record machine
Fire’s cracklin’ and blazing, John’s a-stokin’ her up
And if you’re running on empty, just pass me your cup!
4
And I look back, I do, those were surely the days
That were simple and true, don’t care what anyone says
And though it’s many a memory that’s broken many a heart
It’ll take more than an ocean, to keep us apart
You’re my spirit, my fire, my blood and my kin
I’ll never give up believing that I’ll see you again
5
Just look up at that moon, in that African sky,
Hey! It’s the same one that shines down on England tonight!
And the stars, tiny mirrors, re-calling each one
Of our hopes and endeavours, under the sun
Heaven’s reflection, each one has a face,
Each one has a place
In God’s scrap book collection
6
Just come when you’re ready, you’ll know when it’s time
When the magic is flowing, with new poetry and rhyme
And we’ll sing a song for Africa
And all her sweet mysteries
And we’ll plant it in England
Beside the old chestnut trees…
And we’ll change this whole world
Godammed if we don’t
I can’t live without giving,
God help me I won’t
Just come when you’re ready, for right or for wrong
I’ll wait for you forever, if it takes you that long
Bring me all of your sunshine, and all of your rain
Bring me all of your laughter, and all of your pain
Bring whatever it takes; choose the secret hi-ways,
The ones in your heart, where the music still plays
Bring me all of what’s left, of your years and your days
And we’ll put them together,
Both yours and mine too
‘Till we see the big picture,
At last, shining through
For
I believe in a world, that we’re not living in,
It’s living inside us, it don’t end, or begin
I’ve felt it in silence; I’ve seen it in dreams
There’s a door that is no door,
That you can never go in
Just come when you’re ready
Not a moment before
And like ghosts, to the shadows
We will open that door
Copyright Scotty 2007
Author notes
For my two sons that I left behind in Cape Town S. Africa
and for all the great times we shared...
The picture shows Simon and John who have now taken over my old "One Man Bar"...
btw Simon writes poetry, John is a lyricist and philosopher
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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this is tearful and a stunning pen from heart on this one as the door is always open.. and the heart never closes like a fathers love never broken.. beautiful John i love this thank you for sharing your work Hug Angel♥
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So glad you found this one it's an important poem for me, and I am so appreciable for every comment it receives
Thank you for sharing your time , and for the kind words
John
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stunning and penetrates the heart I feel the words in this one felt .. Hugs and you are so welcome♥
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I have a lump in my throat John and watery eyes
God I love this, I love the hope, the magical beauty of love, sincere pure love fills every bit of this write
amazing write
and the hope, we so need the hope
absolutely gorgeous my friend...
God bless you and your boys...
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Yes, I guess it is all about hope, it's almost three years now I talk to them on weekends on the phone, I hope that by mid next year they will be here...
Thank you for your kind and supportive words my friend, they are encouraging and appreciated
God bless you also
John
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Excellent
I feel like crying when I read this, beautifully written and full of emotion. Your poems sure do tell a tale. Cant see the picture though.
D x
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Oh dear, I haven't visited this page in a long time Doe, I can see what's happened, since I lost my gold membership they have taken all my pictures down...that is quite sad, I understand that one cannot post any further images a sa non paying member but didn't realise they would strip the existing ones away...
Tell you what, go to fb and look at 'humblpye hideaway' in albums, it's all there
Thanks for the kind words
John:-) -
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Yes the same happened to me, they only let me have the gold membership for a few days, and was a bit shocked to see they had removed the photos that I had put up, like you thought it would only apply to new ones, think it was a bit mean, but never mind. I will have a look at your photos on Facebook later on.
Thanks for letting me know D x
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John , so many feelings wrapped up in this one my friend. Just like a real friend and father you leave the door of love always open for them to walk through in thier own time...Unconditional love is how a true love should be..Nothing false or demanding, but ongoing no matter what.I too have far away children so I fully understand your words tonight..A lovely write for them.....Excellent my friend...mal
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Yes Mal...
this poem is a turmoil of emotions evoked from the span of time which spawned them, as we grow older things strangely become clearer, in the end we exist in a world of memories...and they are sweet indeed!
Niel Young says it so succintly in his song "It's a dream"..."only a dream, just a memory without any where to stay..."
Thanks for commenting on this poem, I appreciate it Mal, I really do,
just another cliche...?
no way!
Take care
John
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Well this is certainly beautiful...filled with love, emotion and knowing, ...that ONE day, the timing will be right.!!!
"Just come when you're ready, burn your bridges all down
Let your heart do the talkin'
And your feet do the walkin'
''Cause they know where your bound"
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Thank you my friend
you have no idea how much I appreciate the time you have given, in sharing a place in my heart that yearns constantly to re create those days, and yes God help me I will...
John
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awwwww! my sweet friend how lonely your words are...so filled with emotion, memories and beauty...a master piece I am sure they will treasure
thank you kindly for sharing them with me"f
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niaish , vaohtama!
I always look forward to your responses with fluttering heart, niaish
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