An African Boy
on Sabo -Oke (Nigeria), 26/Sep/2011 07:27, 34 days ago
An AfricanBoyI know you can see me from your placeThe fat flies crawling into my eyesClaiming my last bead of moistureSearching the pale track my tears once traced I’m sure you preferthat wavy cheeky TV grinThat was me– an African boy.At the junction you will find meOn my wheels or limping through smoking trafficIn your cool car you can select your viewsUnwind your window as I come nearOr look awayMe– just an Africanboy.As dawn attacks the night you’ll see me in the motor parkBarrow ready to bear your loadBarefoot over rough andmiry groundI’ll accept whatever you choose to giveTo just another African boy.I lead my proud cattle to pastures newLooking for green where just stubble remainsAs they follow I feel the red earth in my veinsSleep beneath stars and follow the rainsThe deep soul of an African boy.In dead of night I have many fearsBorne the scars of my birth for so many yearsLiving close to theraw edge of painSeen my future stolen again and againLike many an African boy.I hear the drum beating or is it my heart?My soul sings out to the lightInfectious rhythms felt often beforeI want to dance on as I rise from the floorNew musical lands that I want to exploreCause I am an African boy.In my sleep I would wait on your tableServing rich Californian wineLearn from you all I am ableAlive to the dance of ancestral needFeeding on scrapings of thought word and deedThe dreams of an African boy.But I’d willingly climb over mountainsFollow great riversdown to the seaSail across oceans with no stars to guideCross burning deserts with nowhere to hideAnswer my own prayers with God by my sideCause I am an African boy.