Come, I’ve heard the surge of your drums
Come, my heart beats lasciviously
‘Africa come back’
Come, I’ve raised my face out from the dust
Come, I’ve peeled off the pellicle of sorrow from my eyes
Come, I’ve snatched away my arms from the grip of pain
Come, I’ve wrenched apart the hasp of gloom
‘Africa come back’
The shackle’s clasps have made the mace too much to bear
So I’ve fashioned a mould by ripping the strap round my neck
‘Africa come back’
The bear’s death-eyes blaze in every lair
Enemy blood has reddened the negritude of night
‘Africa come back’
The ground is pirouetting with me Africa
Rivers throbbing to the rhythm pouring out of the woods
I am Africa, your stature mirrors mine
I am you; my gait is the gait of your lions
‘Africa come back’
Come stride like your lions
‘Africa come back’
___
Rehan Qayoom is a poet, editor and translator from London. He write poetry in both English and Urdu and his works have appeared in numerous literary publications and anthologies. You can find more of his work at http://www.rehanqayoompoet.blogspot.com/
