The Rainbow Africa

Written after an African festival.

The Rainbow Africa


The Rainbow Africa is
a drum beat
men's chocolate thunder hands
and raining rhythm feet

The Rainbow Africa is
smooth gingerbread women
wrapped in gathered twirling gowns
laced sweeter with sugar-candied beads

The Rainbow Africa is
earth, wind and fire
a burning primitive desire
to set the spirit free

From the curse of cinder-block cities
where open and fisted hands
rise from the decay and ash
in dance and song loud and long

A people dream from cloud to stormy cloud
set sail on flowing patterned sashes
of vibrant brilliant color
the Rainbow Africa is