AFRICA MY AFRICA

When Africa called my name I wept,

Limpopo tears sketching ancient tracks upon my cheek,

In the bushman´s arms, warmly rocked, I slept.

Africa my Africa, in night´s dreams, you, I sadly seek.

Okavango dawn & Kalahari sun I crave,

Choking dust familiar, & of you I reek,

Black night deep, black man brave,

I cry as the crocodile yawns, & the lion slinks sleek.

 Bleeding shrike bleeds as my battered soul,

Fleeting smile on old wrinkled face of teak,

I long to see the impala at his rare water hole,

Since leaving you my Africa, I am sad, I am bleak.

Africa called my name & I wept,

Makgadikgadi winds took my hopes, leaving me weak,

The clouds   dropped my sleepy tears in the Zambezi & I slept,

Dreaming dusty dreams, with Africa running down my cheek.