Broken
The poem expresses disillusionment and heartbreak, addressing Africa as a mother figure. It highlights conflict, hunger, hatred, and rejection, contrasting with the speaker's expectations of a peaceful and prosperous continent.
14 Dec, 2024
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Mama,
you sang hymns of our home,
praised how our land drips honey
and how our huts were built from gemstones,
but all I see is barrenness.
Mama,
I hear gunshots from the West--
the west of you is plagued by violence,
For adversary is their kindred.
Mama,
I hear the howl of hunger from the east--
the east of you is whipped by famine,
For starvation is their companion.
Mama,
I see looks of hatred from the South--
the South of you is brimming with revulsion,
For hostility is their confidant.
Mama,
I perceive rejection from the North--
The north of you is aching with vast denial,
For rift is their ally.
Mama,
You assured me of a tranquil abode,
You swore and spoke of a solid nest,
But you now lack your usual warmth,
For I am quivering from the cold.
Africa,
You are broken,
Utterly broken
Like fragments of a mirror--
Not beyond repair
But still broken.
About the author
A book lover and a poet