A Selection of Poems ↓
AFRICA, MY AFRICA
By Ingrid D Anderson-Riley
Prologue: Not for me the city streets
With begging masses of diseased humanity
Decayed in brickwork, decayed in mind
Deranged in clockwork sanity.
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With begging masses of diseased humanity
Decayed in brickwork, decayed in mind
Deranged in clockwork sanity.
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The glow of dawn spills across the plain
Setting alight waving grass and thorn tree Painting wispy clouds, colouring the sky All is fresh and pure - tranquillity. A lone fish eagle calls from his lofty outlook His domain reflecting translucent hues Though soon the fire will slowly fade Give way to day-time greens and blues. Webs of fantasy drape green foliage Sunlight filters softly through Glistening in sweet morning splendour Gentle, moist; this new-formed dew. Browsing on acacia’s crown An inquisitive long-lashed face appears Tall and elegant, stately and serene From over her thorny bower she stares. The golden sunlight floods the earth Waving grasses yield to her Midas touch Whilst grouped and grazing in the clearing Stripy families enjoy their brunch. Impala, wildebeest and buffalo too Reveal harmonious diversity Life here has different reference points A firmer sense of reality. A shy hyaena turns away Bravado fading in the strengthening sunlight Her pack will encourage in the darkness Eyes ablaze, with whoops of delight. Lazy lions languidly lie Beneath a shady palm Their spotted cousins resting too All is peaceful - all is calm. Here is where the river flows For creatures great and small Tortoise, dassie, warthog and antelope Hosts of feathered angels call. Drifting slowly on the current A “flat-dog” in disguise Whilst wading in the sweet and cool Hippo’s watch with wary eyes. |
The sun has past her zenith
Slowly through a cloudless sky And high above the craggy cliff I hear a solitary eagle’s cry. Waterbuck gently browse The thicket all around Whilst in the trees the monkeys play And plop down to the ground Baboons too are skilful jesters The youngsters scamper 'round Others sit and groom each other In sunlight on the ground. Out on the plains the grasses sway A green and golden sea Thorn trees punctuate the rolling waves Leaves dancing in the light breeze. A large grey boulder comes to life Exposing horns and head His beady eyes and little ears Search out the poachers’ dread. He’s safe for now in this sanctuary His mate and little calf They graze in sure tranquillity They have the better half. Near a group of trees; more gentle giants Large ears fan the heat away Deftly beating soil from the meal As sun slides t'ward the end of day. Impressive tusks and sensitive trunks The hallmark of these graceful ones My prayer is for their continued survival To escape the ravage of the poachers’ guns. Now as we return to our camp Sunset sweeps the sky Restored, revitalised by nature’s elixir All is peace, but so alive. Even after stars appear As jewels after nightfall The bush is filled with the song of the wild Hark now to the night calls. |
Then rest in body and in soul
At night time sweetly sleep
This is Africa at her best
This Africa's mine to keep.
At night time sweetly sleep
This is Africa at her best
This Africa's mine to keep.