BEFORE OUR RIVERS BECOME A SEA

Before our rivers become a sea
We need to put out smoke from the fires of hatred
…with love

II
Before our rivers become a sea
We need to shed minds
Which have stored videos of affiliated cruelty
…with time

III
Before our rivers become a sea
We need riverways of trust
Devoid of stumps of bickering
…and thoughts of harm

IV
Before our rivers become a sea
We need to identify a borderless soul
One who will identify only with the flag of Africa
And cultivate the love of known and unknown cultures
…and beliefs

V
Before our rivers become a sea
We need to build a we-are-together bridge
Laughing even through prejudices
…we will eventually heal

VI
As the sky remains up
And the earth carries our feet
If we reach not the bridge
Where we laugh at our past
…and cry at the pain of another
Our rivers will forever travel their own paths
…and face accusations of erosions
Added to unruly harvests of our best fishes
Poisoning our rivers will also continue
Because fears within exceed fears without
…no matter its unparalleled weight
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © June 2020