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.

[Ashley]

Very well written. I love the pic and song too! :)

[The Analog Kid]

Nice tribute to the people that have died and are fighting tyrants in Africa and the middle east. I only hope that they find true freedom not a theocracy of hate like Iran.

[Pax Analog]

Yep. Your timely topical brood notes oppression that we even suffer in the West, just to a less obvious degree. Governments work for themselves, corporations work for themselves -- people? Disposable carbon units to be raped by massive abstractions most suited to Machiavellian subhuman orientations.

But indeed, the soul of the matter, aptly underscored by your Bob Marley selection, does make an unpredictable difference from the inside-out. The Berlin Wall fell from pop music and the boredom of History itself, not Reaganite pseudo-American posturings. So the Egyptians just got f*****g bored w/the "business-as-usual" usurpation of resources by a typical dictator (the kind typically propped-up by bought-out "American" interests). And the overall African woes are even more harrowing.

"There's a crack, a crack in everything/that's how the light gets in," wrote Leonard Cohen. "Keep on rockin' in the free world," wrote Neil Young. And of course Marley's contribution to the spirit of human justice is legendary. You just made me appreciate song form all the more, and I'll be posting some new songs when I can get in the mood for recording. ;-)

As Gandhi noted when asked what he thought of Western Civilization: "It would be nice."

And if America is to lead, it's time to kick the s**t out of the hog trough misdirectional dialogue. Send Rash Lamebog's obscene salary to starving children. Shatter the domination of the media-ocracy.

And I'm reminded that Marley's Rastafarianism was connected to an idea of Ethiopia's Heile Salassie (sp?) being spiritually important.

The beat goes on.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

So well put! May we all find peace and freedom! Well written!!

[MuSe Ampoule]

Profound work that speaks well to current events. if only there were more we could do. Good job!

[Bard Constantine]

It's a horrific irony that the birthplace of civilization has long been the most trampled and abused. Contemplation, honored remembrance and reform are far more powerful than finger pointing and blame games... I'd like to trust that things can change, but all signs point to a more negative outcome...

[Ladysue]

wow Tate, this is so powerful in its expression. a fine tribute and sentiment. I agree with you, may they all find peace in freedom...a very poignant piece..well done...

[Norma M Sutton]

Nicely stated.

[NoneOfYourBusiness akaK..]

passionate and respectful poetic that places value on us all and our striving for self determinaton and freedom of being as it should be~