Africa by David Diop

Hey blogworld,
Poetry is another thing I really love and when I randomly came across this poem tonight, it filled me with so much excitement and memories of secondary school! For those who took Literature which was my favorite subject, you will remember reading West African Verse which had this poem in it.

The words are still as powerful and relevant now as they were then, if not more so. I love this poem because it ends with such an optimism for Africa which I pray I can share someday.

Africa by David Diop

Africa, my Africa
Africa of proud warriors in ancestral savannahs
Africa of whom my grandmother sings
On the banks of the distant river
I have never known you
But your blood flows in my veins
Your beautiful black blood that irrigates the fields
The blood of your sweat
The sweat of your work
The work of your slavery
Africa, tell me Africa
Is this you, this back that is bent
This back that breaks
Under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
And saying yes to the whip under the midday sun
But a grave voice answers me
Impetuous child that tree, young and strong
That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently, obstinately
Whose fruit bit by bit acquires
The bitter taste of liberty.


Xoxo
Miss B