Interminable Life Poem by Hannington Mumo

Gag my mouth to thwart my speech and seal my protests
But the language of my eyes will be heard in the hallowed highs,
I speak not to be heard by those that have no ears to hear
But to confirm that my words have reached the skies.

Tie my feet and hinder my motion
And I still will globe-trot the untrodden earth,
For I walk not on the legs you see,
And I will walk on every road and sail to every firth.

You cannot manacle my hands
Although you may handcuff them with a chain,
The arms I have are invisible to you
And the ones you see you bind in vain.

And you never can kill me
For my life is in the air you ignore;
My body died long before I was born,
Before the rains of brutality began to pour.

I will speak against your contrary wish
And I’ll walk although my legs you may tie;
My hands will wield miracles wherever they’re waved,
For my soul has sworn never to die.