Sankofa
Akan for: go back and find it)
from "eyes of a boy, lips of a man" ©1999



Walk on. I wont stop you.
I would disown you 
if I could
but the sun cannot
hide from the earth.
Shine on

Hurry on. Onto freedom.
I will watch you with assurance
- like a jujuman
forecasting rain
in the dry season.
Rustle

Hustle. Your way to handshakes.
We will cast cowries on the floor
and spit on them when we notice 
how their backsides turn to
the mention of your name.
Listen

Learn all you like
in the halls your fathers fashioned
from sweat and blood
you will find no surface
on which to paint your bloody wisdom.
Walk on.

Flow... but, like blood that leaves
the heart to circuit the body,
you will return for cleansing.
You will find that freedom carries
dirt in its bowels, and 
your only protection is here.

When you come, I will say:
welcome to the gods' red earth
to hazy palm wine
to space for painting
the cowries predicted it
your journey has ended.