Revelations: Africa in Poetry

Children of Africa

70 Children of Africa Take heed! Children of Africa For words of advice value more than a piece of gold Hear now children of Africa: It’s well known That a soldier depends on weapon for victory in war That a mango tree only bears mango fruits That a young one of a snake is also a snake That a woman can only be a widow after her husband’s death And a woman be a mother after giving birth to a child Yet while we might be aware of these truisms You might still be blinded To see what is beyond their shadows And know one most important thing That education is as important as were cattle to the Masai ancestors That education is as important as were shifting cultivation to the Bemba ancestors That education is as important as were hunting to the San ancestors Take heed! You children of Africa Let it be printed at the core of your hearts That education liberates That education defends 71 That education enlivens That education enriches That education frees the mind-kidnapped by the hunches of ignorance Take heed children of Africa Take heed For if not you will be caught bathing once again by the West! ...