Africa

From water are we born

Into acrid air,

A mothers hand to keep us,

A fathers heart to care.

To final place abandoned,

Today as in the past,

From rushing waters birthing bursts,

AIDS grips green fate too fast.

To spittle, those too young return,

No hope to AIDS appease.

Unheard, unseen and silently,

Cradling death in rattling tease.

Oh Africa, oh Africa,

Of beauty and of plain,

Let no one now forsake you,

Take hold compassion's claim

Tomorrow thrive with zealous strength,

Let go the buried pain,

Weave hope in baskets carried high,

Within your pained domain.

No sword nor steel will subjugate,

Wildebeest of plains patrol,

Grasp life past mournful misery,

Your country will be whole.

© 5/16/2005 Corrine hg Schlessel