When I close my eyes and think of a place I instantly see Africa.
The motherland of my mother and her ancestors,
As my eyes search the African dirt I realize this is where it started,
This is the place of my original birth.
Although I am an American I know I'm no cousin to the African
Because I am the African
Down in the valleys of rich green soil and on top of the hills of the Serengeti.
I see that these hips, my hips belong to many others
I may have lost touch with my native tongue
But know that these hips, my hips support Africa's daughters and sons
The color of my skin may not represent the very roots of my ancestors.
My African sponsored naps may now be relaxed but I am still African by choice
Changed by my American experience I can still hear the voices of my African descendants
Saying, "we waited in the water, will you be the one to see God's answers"
Clouded by the deceptions and the "intellectual" stereotypes placed on
my people is the infinite wisdom of our God given purpose, Our God
given talent, our God given ability
My hips, these wide hips carry the rhythm of generational beats on a tribal drum
It is these hips, these wide African hips that carry many African
generations to come.
It is when I close my eyes that I see the remnants of Africa's children scattered.
Separated and torn not only by square miles but years of distance and cultural Ignorance
I see myself in the faces of my Jamaican brothers and sisters
Trinidadian women and men another tribe of African descent
I am proud that these hips, my hips have helped birth and carry
multiple shades of Mahogany, cinnamon, dark chocolate and mocha the
wonderful shades of God's creation, as we know it
Let us stand around and celebrate the creation of these hips, these wide African hips.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Such a beautifully written poem of being proud of not just who you are but where you come from. Love the line about the different shades of skin color and the color names you've used to describe. Each one of those colors is beautiful in their own right. Gorgeous poem! Be forever proud of who you are and where you come from!