Invisible Continent Poem by Lubinda Lubinda

I sit in the center
of the world
but yet, to you
i remain invisible
and in your ignorance
you say that i'm ravaged
and covered with poverty
wars and disease!

How quickly you forget
that it was I
who cradled you and
carried you on my back
when you were still young
but, you still mocked me
by telling me that
i was not smart enough
simply because you saw me
as black and uncivilized
but, the funny thing is
you would often come back
and consult my books
from Alexandria
to expand your knowledge

Even when you left me
i sent my relatives
to help you
build your empires
you mistreated them
and forced them
to become your slaves
even though they helped
you grow rich, great
and powerful
even though, they made
what you are today!

When you got married
and found new friends
it was my diamonds,
gold and precious stones
that adorned your neck,
hands and feet
but yet, you did not
appreciate them
and neither did you
thank me for them!

When your factories
grew larger
you came back
and you robbed me
of everything else
my ancestors had left
me with
you sliced and shared
my land like a cake
and divided it amongst
yourselves
and all i could do
was watch as you
took it all away!

And, as if
that was not enough
you stripped me
of my dignity
when you took away
my liberty

Even though, i tried
to explain to the world
how i was a victim
in all this
it would not listen
because it also saw me
as a primitive, uncivilized
buffoon!