The Magic Of Africa Poem by Diana van den Berg

Let us all take hands
and dance
and sing -

from the land of sky and sand
where the nara grows;
to eagled tips of dragon-backed mountains
and sun-blessed rock
and craggy bursts of coral winter warmth;
to secret, verdant, forest sanctuaries
where air breathes whistle-sweet
and avian song and monkey chatter
slip into footfalls in the leaves;
to cities quivering with education and commerce -

for what we have
is a most
simple
and glorious
thing.

(28 March 2003)