Africa, To Whom It May Concern Poem by Edward Dzonze

Up and down the African streets in poetry verses
Dust is the majority, the gold is just a few
Purses are empty, prices are hefty
The haves are few, beggars are the majority
The cost of survival us forever going up
As I go further deep into deserted mine shafts
In search of a deserted fortune to keep up with the heights of fate
My sister's knickers drops down
As bread prices treble up
Selling her body to negotiate a meal for her impoverished family
The haves pay for it, not for the needy sister's sake
But for their own greed's sake

Beloved Africa
For how long shall you wear that gloomy face,
For how long shall you carry the poverty tag along with your name,
For how long shall we feed the hungry children
With mere stories to feed their empty bellies?
Stories-
Stories like once we had a spark before it turned this dark
Stories that never attempt to answer our only question;
For how long shall we live in this dark?

I refuse to lay low and spectate
While the radiance of my black skin
Is overshadowed by delusional trajectories sparked by greed
Beloved Africa,
You have got the land in plenty
I don't see how food prices a re hefty
We've got dimples filled with gold upon our beautiful face
I don't understand how we are becoming a begging race
A blooming bosom of flora and fauna
There in the wilderness;
My fathers used to live in peace and harmony
Priceless curves that captures the eye with glitter
Bringing value to the body through its worth
I don't see how we are living poor with all the mineral wealth
We've got pendants of silver and copper
Dangled all over our body,
With the little drops of oil we have
Don't you think we can give the world
A healthy smiling face?

To be this black and alive
His limitless grace paid the price
To be such without pride;
Is closing our eyes in pretence of blindness
Dear Africa; it is you to whom it may concern
To conquer the darkness of days
All we need is a glow of light
Not the light from a fired bullet or a firefly
Rather we need lights in the African streets,
A light that sparks a sincere smile in every African home
A light that forever shines,
A light that shames darkness from our African homes
A light that illuminates the African spirituality
To awaken African pride in the conscience of all
A glow of light that shames corruption
A light that makes me visible,
A light that justifies our human worthy
A light that lasts the span of life…
To that end I proclaim my love for black.