African Child Poem by Kenneth Maswabi

A system has been constructed
Under your feet and over your head
To oppress and deny you the fruits of life
To undress you and bake you in the oven of life
Until you are as dark as the pot of black magic
To hide you from the hands of prosperity
And bury you in the tomb of darkness
You have been specially selected
For the open mouth of poverty
To devour you and swallow your thoughts
To digest your dreams and crush your plans
You have been chosen
To bear the womb of suffering
And hold the cup of diseases
African child, my African child
My tears are not enough to cleanse you
My hands are not strong enough to protect you
From the hands of capitalism and other axes of evil
That seek to destroy you
From the house of humanity
That has abandoned you
To the scourge of racism
That craves for your blood
African child, my child
Do not submit yourself to selfishness and materialism
You are bound to continue the cycle of betrayal
Prejudice and systemic injustices
Hide your face from wickedness
Do not be partakers in evil schemes
Tribalism, nepotism and xenophobia
Tools for your mental slavery
Love is the only antidote
The bandage and the balm to your wounds
Love one another like never before
Love is your only inheritance
Be in Love
Be the Love

©