An inspiring poem written by Wayne Visser, a South African currently based in Nottingham, UK.

I am African

I am an African
Not because I was born there
But because my heart beats with Africa’s
I am an African
Not because my skin is black
But because my mind is engaged by Africa
I am an African
Not because I live on its soil
But because my soul is at home in Africa

When Africa weeps for her children
My cheeks are stained with tears
When Africa honours her elders
My head is bowed in respect
When Africa mourns for her victims
My hands are joined in prayer
When Africa celebrates her triumphs
My feet are alive with dancing

I am an African
For her blue skies take my breath away
And my hope for the future is bright
I am an African
For her people greet me as family
And teach me the meaning of community
I am an African
For her wildness quenches my spirit
And brings me closer to the source of life

When the music of Africa beats in the wind
My blood pulses to its rhythm
And I become the essence of sound
When the colours of Africa dazzle in the sun
My senses drink in its rainbow
And I become the palette of nature
When the stories of Africa echo round the fire
My feet walk in its pathways
And I become the footprints of history

I am an African
Because she is the cradle of our birth
And nurtures an ancient wisdom
I am an African
Because she lives in the world’s shadow
And bursts with a radiant luminosity
I am an African
Because she is the land of tomorrow
And I recognise her gifts as sacred


(04.11.05)
© Wayne Visser

Originally written in August 2007...

Un verre de vin
Gardé dans une main,
Je touche les lèvres
D’un souvenir avec l’autre.
Le bruit de la boum
A disparu sous la lune
Qui crée des rêves
Dans lesquelles je me vautre.

Tu regardes mes yeux ;
Je sais que tu me veux
Et sans un vrai mot
Tu m’entends complètement
« Tu me manques mon ami »
« Tu me manques aussi »
Les gouttelettes de l’eau
Disent nos pensées doucement.

La nuit finira
Et un jour arrivera,
Sans la lune, sans la pluie,
Sans le vin de sourires.
Je dirau au revoir,
Secretement avec espoir,
Mais en parlant de cette nuit
Nous n’allons que rire.

There is something about music to make one revel and be joyous, and most importantly forget about a load of things. And since I love music, perhaps this could be my forum for sharing what I think makes for interesting anecdotes on music, art, or poetry (interesting encompassing a range of things). What I'll share here varies, as I don't have a particular genre of anything that I'm overtly partial to.

That said, till next post...
AMTAF!