Beloved Africa

Beloved Africa.

In my quiet moments, I pondered on her,

This most beautiful daughter of the Planet. 

Blessed and bestowed with mystery and wonders.

Her contours of evergreen valleys,

Gentle steeps of trees and  flowing streams,

Home to thunderous storms and dreamy lakes.

Her womb swells with undiluted resources,

Truly a cradle of humanity's ancestors,

Carved out and standing tall in your ebony splendour. 

Enchanter of the sun, Cajoler of the moon;

You soothe to sleep in a lullaby of colours, each passing day.

Africa, virgin daughter of the universe,

Whose rhythm follows the drums of the heart.

Your astonishing beauty has attracted only woes,

Forcefully deflowered while you slept as in Eden.

Your sons and daughters sold out as merchandise,

Raped, plundered, exploited by strangers;

Misery, poverty, death are your permanent mourning garments.

Of you, we only hear sad stories being told, 

Even some of your offsprings add to your sorrow,

As they plot with strangers to further distort your beauty,

killing each other as the biblical Cain,

Auctioning you to the highest bidder.

No woman has suffered such pain for her children,

Downtrodden, discriminated, they flee seeking treasures in foreign lands,

While your breasts ache with the abundance of milk.

How faithful have we your descendants been? 

As the diamonds you conceal, you have stood the test of time.

Your belly is stretched by marks of desecration.

For many years, they continue to seek to possess you,

Turned into a battleground of interest,

As though you were just cheap,

They whisper of you along the corridors of power.

Yet despite the tribulations you continue to shine.

Blessed as a jewel, your gracious radiance endures.

May your sons and daughters learn to cherish and love you;

And in their endeavours seek to restore your dignity.

May you reign in their hearts above all selfish interests,

Serving you in dutiful submission,

So you may reign as the Princess that you truly are.

Ankiambom Munteh.

King