Africa, my Africa
by Fatou Thiam

Africa proud warriors in ancestral savannahs
Africa sings my grandmother
At the edge of the distant river
I ever known
But my eyes are full of blood
YOUR beautiful black blood through the widespread fields
The blood of your sweat
The sweat of your work
The working slavery
L`esclavage of your children
Africa, tell me Africa
Is it you that back that curves
And LAY under the weight of humility
This back trembling red welts
Who said yes to the whip on midday routes
Then a voice answered me seriously
Impetuous son this rugged tree and young
This tree there
Splendidly alone amidst flowers
White and faded
It`s your Africa, Africa repellent
That pushes patiently stubbornly
And whose fruits have gradually
The bitter taste of freedom.