Sauti Za Ardhi: The Poem

Between the Mountains of the Moon
and the slopes of Kilima Njaro
Lies the ancient remembrance
of Earth's first ancestors
Walking and Talking
Breathing and Surviving Today
In the glorious Rift Valley ~
Largest Scar seen from outer space.

East Africa's refugees come straight through me
to find sanctuary and reconnect
With the Source of Nature's Being.
The British Colony on the road to South Africa's Legacy
Escaped by the Dreadlocked MauMau who defied captivity.
The integrated cosmopolitan African capital city
Host of the World Social Forum and the seat of diversity.

And even though most of the youth clearly say they want to leave
They don't even realize how good it actually be
In the rich land of milk, blood, drums, and honey
Some of the greatest artists to yet emerge on the African scene,
Craftsmakers of jewelry and soapstone carvings
The Maasai spread their message through peace and creativity;
Nomads living on the land in blessed harmony
with the zebras and the lions, just come and you will see.

Birthplace of the official Jua Kali sector,
Where thrown away goods are re-cycled, the re-surrector
Tools and rubber shoes from tires and scrap metal
Technologically savvy, the makers of MPesa
Africa's rennaisance in the heart of the age of war
There dwells a people who have kept the peace
and provided free education for all.
One of whose sons birthed an American president
The largest empire in the world led by a child of the Horn.

Of course nothing is perfect
In life we all must struggle
To achieve that which we long for:
Freedom of expression to live out our purpose.
And so we rise from the ashes
Like the Egyptian Phoenix tale of old
Poised to take flight
And share our hopes with the world.
This is how we begin:
With the Voices of the Earth,
Sauti Za Ardhi
Let it ring,

And so it is heard.


All rights reserved. 
2011