My African Child
Born of this red earth
Washed clean by the rain
Did you feel the rage of patriarchy?
Or the claw of hunger, in your mother’s belly?
Did you feel the winds of poverty
Blowing hot, relentless
Tearing at the heart like an empty corn husk
And when you took your first breath
Did the fire of this beautiful land fill your lungs?
Will you lose yourself to the rhythm of the African drum-beat
Pounding in your veins
Will you laugh loudly?
And love fiercely?
Do you know how much love awaits you?
Like a land of endless space
Oh my beautiful African child
Where have you come from?
And what will you become?
By Heidi Barnes
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