Bantu princess of my sugarcane dreams

Cocoa beauty dipped in honey

Benign spirit of my sacred garden-

Who painted you so well?

Protagonist of sleep-scape novellas..

Behind fish net curtains I peek-

Watching you flaunt your wares…

Visual serenade – hmm sweet banter!

When you talk

You sing;

When you walk

You talk!

“Makandi” cakes in measured gait

Dance in cadence to the call

Of village sign posts….

Wotéké – Wonganga!

Bwasa – Likombé

Ah sacred pageant; sensual carnival.

 

And the men, oh how they gape!

Giggles and chuckles wrapped in adulation-

Each man, his essential self tabulates

The dimensions of your revered essence-

Sister, daughter, mother – friend;

Night-nurse, wife – soul confidant

Would smooth out the contours

Of his esteemed African manhood.

Need I wonder why

Or should I worry why-

Leeches and scoundrels seek your grace?

Worry why foreign legions crave your mystique?

Yes…yes ……hell yes!

For the lessons of history I’ve imbibed-

Elmina Castle – Goree Island

I must avenge with Shaka zeal

Cos you are mine – mine!

My cocoa beauty – dipped in honey…

Bantu princess of my sugar-cane dreams-

Earth goddess – my mojo hand

My oh my!

But the question remains:

Who painted you so well?

And if I had a clue, I wouldn’t tell

By

Hope Kalé Ewusi ©