I Am Africa

At the eve of birth a being I saw,

That stands between Eden and heaven’s door;

The eyes shone bright and fine like a crystal ball,

I am Africa – the subtle voice whispered and called;

All around me are fairies and fireflies,

In awesomeness, I gazed at a paradise;

Towards the light, in four I gently crawled,

I am Africa – the subtle voice whispered and called;

‘Hold my hands and walk with me,

Traverse with me the land beyond the sea,

I am in the wind – the gentle and strong,

I am in the season, the short and long,’

I am in the field – the trees and shrubs,

I am in the water – that flows and drops,

I am Africa - the subtle voice whispered and called;

I am Africa – thy heritage of thine mud.

All around me in awe and leaped from slough,

My mama called me Africa – the spirit of love,

I am Africa – the voice whispered we are kin,

Bright is thy being, though black is thine skin,

From the mountains I flew askew,

Kilimanjaro and Olumo spoke a few,

I am Africa – again they echoed anew

River Nile and Zambesi – at peace as new.

Why thou fight kinsmen with thy swords?

Why thou fight tribesmen and bend the swards?

I am Africa same as you,

I am Africa and that's true;

Thy ancestor and mine is one,

From the same womb our being was born,

I am Africa same as you,

I am Africa and that's true;

Gafar Odubote, “I Am Africa”, copyright 2019

A poem expressing the dream of the poet why everyone in Africa should see themselves as one – to see themselves as Africa beyond Africans. May 25th is also celebrated as #AfricaDay

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