deepundergroundpoetry.com

SIGNIFICANT

It was a time when the surface colour
Of a man's skin was more significant
Than the colour of his eyes or his tie
More significant than the type of car
He drove or his football team colours

Guided by ancient lights in those eyes
To this lake whence humanity sprung
A tectonic fault a fracture of blue Nile
In Gihon after manfall angelfall all fell
Our wise ones said it matters not how
Often we fall so long as we rise again

Fortitude a river
So named for its dangerous floods
Another was called Patience for it was
Synonymous with pain

A goat skin bustle of sparks incendiary
Drum dancers calabash to the maganda
And make aliyah to the All-Mother Africa
Waters washing spine splashing her belly
Pregnant with tomorrows not a meanness
That the pall shadows pour shade on today

What of fires of oil seen
From the aircraft window


I loved in an age when a man's skin colour
Was more significant than what he deserved
His rights his knowledge or what he aspired to

Bright as Fire
Was my birth name
It means though I burn
I bring a light by which others see





*Written for AEMelia's ancestors comp
Written by whale
Published
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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