Plants Of The Desert Poem by Frank Bana

Proud-standing in the sunlight
Hairy whisps around your ears
Abundant rain has loved you well
All through the best of years

The birds have nibbled gently
Not ravaging in swarms
As they assailed your ancestors
While children stayed at home

On an April day in autumn
I walked among the ranks
Of tall seed-laden heads, bent down
Beside my cap and flanks

I thrilled to nearly disappear
In the thick of broadcast stands
Where teens would lose their innocence
And old lovers hold hands

Imagining the girls and boys
Dug deep in porridge plates
Treacle swirls on steaming crust
The school luncheon awaits

The winds of winter sweep across
The Kalahari plains
Your ancient stems all taken down
The last fermented grains

The village children hunger now
For maize and urban trends
The tall protective sorghum plants
Abandoned like old friends.