African poetry Archives | Scottish Poetry Library

from The San’s Promise - by Rethabile Masilo

{ Poem }

They came from the south
/ holding the sun in their right hand
/ like an object of worship,
/ crossed the Mohokare into the mountains,
/ leather…

from A Cock Crows in Rwanda - by Edouard Bamporiki

{ Poem }

Usually, beloved, I crow,
/ And my name is Rusake the Cock,
/ The same one most people chow down on,
/ Especially my delicious neck.
/ I’m…

Hard Working Women - by Msandi Kababa

{ Poem }

Hold on Women of great courage
/ You have held on so bravely and tirelessly
/ Hold on Women of great courage, hold on
/
/ Women…

Tagalakoy - by Adamou Idé

{ Poem }

Elle vient de si loin
/ Tagalakoy
/ Elle marche pieds nus
/ Tagalakoy
/ Elle défie la chaleur
/ Tagalakoy
/ Elle vient de si loin
/ Elle défie la faim
/ Tagalakoy
/
/ Tagalakoy ! Tagalakoy…

2 Termite Skyscrapers - by Non-Scottish anonymous

{ Poem }

2
/ termite
/ skyscrapers
/
/ he tries
/ to separate
/ his
/ eyes
/
/ the man
/ who
/ minds
/ 2
/ termite
/ skyscrapers
/
/ comes home
/ with
/ nothing
/ and
/ a
/ headache
/ …

African Moon - by Koumanthio Zeinab Diallo

{ Poem }

In my village where girls dress
In clothes the color of joy
And dance to the slender sound of the drum

Careful! - by Non-Scottish anonymous

{ Poem }

pull
/ a
/ rope
/ and
/ the
/ rope
/ pulls
/ in
/ the
/ forest
/ and
/ with
/ the
/ forest
/ leopards
/ come
/ to
/ town.
/ …

Some Bright Elegance - by Kayo Chingonyi

{ Poem }

For the screwfaced in good shoes that paper
/ the walls of dance halls. I have little patience.
/ I say dance, not to…

Some Bright Elegance - by Kayo Chingonyi

{ Poem }

For the screwfaced in good shoes that paper
/ the walls of dance halls. I have little patience.
/ I say dance, not to…

The Brooch - by Mririda n’Ait Attik

{ Poem }

Grandmother, grandmother,
/ Since he left I think only of him
/ And I see him everywhere
/ He gave me a fine silver brooch
/ And when…

Bushwoman stands here . . . - by Non-Scottish anonymous

{ Poem }

Bushwoman stands here
/ Night hangs over her
/ Stars stab it
/
/ Hunter-stars
/ that rip night
/ take his heart
/
/ Bushwoman sings here
/ Night hangs over her
/ The land lies still
/
/ Hunter-stars
/ that…

Agoh-o, the Children’s Nation - by Colette Houéto

{ Poem }

Agoh-o little friends of the streets
/ Of the fields
/ Of the schoolyards and villages
/ Agoh-o nation of children
/ Exploring the familiar landscapes
/ In the neighbourhoods…

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