I Am an African

Today I came to the shocking reality, that I am an African. Not a politician, an economist or even a poet. Today I am an African. I feel the blood pulsing through my veins and I am terrified by the implication. Every child that has lost their life to every war, they are my brother and my sister. Each famine, each war, each political game at the expense of my people, was against me personally. I am an African. The voices that echo from the other side of the grave, they are there to remind me of what I am, I am an African. The pursuit of financial gain, of passing pleasures, they have been designed to convince me that there's more to life than the pursuit and plight for Africa's restoration. What I am, what I am did not begin on the day I was born, it was born the day those molecules joined and the universe was born. I am an African. I am the truth that will not be silenced, I am the voice that will echo in your ear long after I have become dust and my bones have been swallowed by the earth. I am an African. Allow my truth to penetrate your preoccupied mind, allow my relevance to distract your money and power hungry ambition. I am an African. I am rich in all the best that this earth has to offer, I am gentle, humble, have been blamed of being naive and barbaric at times, but after all is said and done, I am what I am. I am an African.

She Was A Lady...

I wrote this piece many, many years ago. Came across it as I was working on my latest book. Thought I'd share...

From the tip of her beautiful hair to the sole of her stylish shoe,
She was a Lady.
From the elegance of her walk, to the sincerity of her smile,
She was a Lady.

She had a quiet, understated strength about her,

She never needed to ask for respect or admiration, it was
hers for the taking.
Never wore a short skirt or bright make up to be seen,
Never raised her voice to be heard,
Never compromised her integrity to get ahead.
Some would call her a wholesome woman,
To me, she was a Lady.

She carried herself with pride, but never arrogance,
She was highly ambitious, but never ruthless,
She stood her ground assertively, but never forcefully.

She appreciated quality, but was never flashy.
She had a light-hearted side, but was never childish.
She enjoyed her life, but always with sophistication.

With each step she took, she seemed to be saying:
‘I will do what I do & I will do it well, but
if I am to do it the best I can, I need to do it my way:
Like A lady.’

Her devotion to God, to herself, made her the ultimate woman.

Yes, as I look at her, I must admit,

From the tip of her beautiful hair to the sole of her stylish shoe,
She was a Lady...

Dedicated to my beautiful mother...

Body Series - Touch

What were you thinking?