Chango Poem by Barry Middleton

Chango coco jambo
everywhere that I go
underneath the mango
blow wind blow

I hear a canto
coming from the Congo
almost like a tango
pain and woe

thunder and light show
tropical commando
banging on a bongo
this I know

red and white mojo
rooted deep in Togo
far away and long ago
storm clouds grow

the Alafin of Oyo
Caribbean afterglow
black as a river crow
let me go

Chango Chango Chango

~~~~~

Reminiscent of Vachel Lindsay (The Congo) but different in its reference to the African god of thunder and lightning as
co-opted by people of the Caribbean.