Terry a O’Neal, Mama Afrika, from PRIVATE 36 – AFRIKA

Mama Afrika
Make me a necklace
Of shiny malachite beads and brass spheres
That will mark me
Queen of the jungle–
Queen of romance–
Groom me for womanhood–

Mama Afrika
Make me a necklace
To hang from my neck
waist, ankles and wrists
So that I, too, can speak
To my people of the village

Mama Afrika
Make me a necklace
So that I, too, can dance
Well dressed
Across the ancient lands
of Africa