Cradle of Humanity

photo by Dan Heller

In the twenty first century

freedom looks to finally find

The cradle of humanity

come to test the ties that bind

 

How is it that the continent

from which we all must have come

Is only now finding freedom

out from under a despots thumb

 

We have surely come full circle

circumnavigating the world

Bringing us back where we began

while enlightenment is unfurled

 

The masses cry out for relief

they ache for the chance to breathe free

They want self determination

all deserve it as much as me

 

We lend our hearts to Africa

let them hear voices cry aloud

That they may know we weep for them

in suffering they may stand proud

 

Tate

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Author's Note

It is the one place we all can say touches us all.We all have our roots in the African nation.
May they find peace and freedom.

Reviews

[Deviant Works]

Oh my gosh, Tate. I could not love this piece more! Out of all the nations, Africa has a very special place in my heart. I came incredibly close to joining the peace corp several years ago because of my passion for the people, culture and what they suffer daily. What is sad, is the pictures we see in National Geographic, the images of crying children that flash across our television screens, is the truth. At times our eyes do not betray us and what is happening every moment in Africa lives with me. Illness, starvation, slavery, persecution, murder...the list goes on and on. Incredible poem, Tate. Really, really, really.

[Poeticpiers]

Timely,topical and well constructed.Although I suspect the freedom they seek will be hard earned and not necessarily our version of democracy. Too often revolutions just replace one oppressor with another.

[Chelsea]

This was a deep poem for sure :)
My family spent a lot of time in Africa and it is just heart breaking to hear the tales from it. All the fighting, fleeing, it just breaks my heart :(
This poem though brought light, that we can help them out! A great write as always Tate :)
This one took me so long to figure out, so I'm hoping this wasn't a convoluted review.

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

I would love to visit Africa. So beautiful she is... There is something in the air.. revolution .. the sixties come to mind ... So sad their plight, Africa's people. The
'leaders' do not starve or drink dirty water..
May they find peace- freedom..
Written with a gentle pen and wise mind.

Chloe

[Paul Okeke]

good and well structured

[xjust-for-me.x]

well tate you have once more in word brought forth vision of things and think of a land far away. your words touch us all in away that make us think. i like this poem very much...i ty for writing it.

[Quinn Blackburn]

wonderful wordcrafting! honest, compassionate, hopeful, supportive and rational- a combination of sentiment that is, sadly, still all too rare. excellent work!

[MarcoftheBeast]

most agreed on what you said in this write.amazingly written.great write.

[ice]

Africa, for a long time has defered its dream;
The roots of Langston Hughes grow deep in its soil.
The dream-has been
Sag(ing) like a heavy load
And like every dream of freedom does
It is finally exploding.

"It is the one place we all can say touches us all"
Yes, it does Tate..It is my feeling that if Africa had not been touched in the past by foreign swords, their quest would be much easier..but I am waxing political..getting back to the poem..It is plain it comes from the heart, and well done, as all of your poems are.
Namaste
ice

[emmajoy]

Your words are heartfelt and wonderful, Tate - they always are and truly, dear friend, my regard for your post is absolute, the picture is beautiful .. but, having read Social History at uni, I don't think we can assume anything ..

The best thing we can all do right now is to pray hard and hope with all our hearts and minds that whatever's happening on the streets will calm down, that the eventual new leaders won't become the dictators most of those African nations have had for years. Nothing happens overnight, these countries are tribal, with self proclaimed roots; to have peaceful and calm futures they have to co-exist in peace, in harmony - and it won't be easy. Future leaders will need to be peaceful men without regard for self but for the good of all .. are there such saints I wonder?

Sorry to go on ..

[Jasmine]

You have an amazing way with the description of... Humanity!