" When somebody takes a child from their native culture, that is in itself an act of aggression.People will often say, love is all you need. But that is not true. Love without understanding is a dangerous thing."
Ethiopian poet, playwright and author Lemn Sissay, 39, was raised by a white family in the north of England. Here he tells how his life often felt like an experiment.
Click to read his story
Gold from the stone
Gold from the stone
Oil from the Earth
I yearned for my home
From the time of my birth
Strength of a mother's whisper
Shall carry me until
The hand of my lost sister
Joins onto my will
Root to the earth
Blood from the heart
Could never from birth
Be broken apart
Food from the platter
Water from the rain
The subject and the matter
I'm going home again
Can't sell a leaf to a tree
Nor the wind to the atmosphere
I know where I am meant to be
And I can't be satisfied here
Can't give light to the Moon
Nor mist to the drifting cloud
I shall be leaving here soon
Costumed, cultured and crowned
Can't give light to the Sun
Nor a drink to the sea
The Earth I must stand upon
I shall kiss with my history
Sugar from the cane
Coal from the wood
Water from the rain
Life from the blood
Gold from the stone
Oil from the earth
I yearned for my home
From the time of my birth
Food from the platter
Water from the rain
The subject and the matter
I'm going home again
Gold from the stone
Oil from the earth
I yearned for my home
From the time of my birth
1 comment:
This is a powerful read - the article and the poem.
I always like and appreciate hearing authentic voices. Thank you for sharing.
Post a Comment