Child of Africa by Wayne Visser

Child of Africa

By Wayne Visser

I am a child of Africa –

Young and wild and free

I play on streets of sunny hope

And feed on dusty dreams

I am a child of Africa –

Young and bold and bright

I think a million sparkling thoughts

And wish on shooting stars

I do not want your pity –

For I am not a helpless pup

I do not want your charity –

For I will thrive at first chance

I do not want your mistrust –

For being young is not a crime

I do no want your prejudice –

For that is your prison not mine

You will know me

Not by the colour of my skin

But by the spectrum of my ideas

For I am Africa’s child

You will know me

Not by the name of my tribe

But by the poetry of my ideals

For I am Africa’s child

I may look young

But I am older than you

For I was born at the beginning of time

I may look weak

But I am stronger than you

For I was weaned on the milk of the sun

I may look simple

But I am smarter than you

For I was schooled at the knee of wise elders

You will know me

Not by the poverty of my means

But by the wealth of my ends

For I am Africa’s child

You will know me

Not by the shadows of my past

But by the brilliance of my future

For I am Africa’s child

I do not want your visions –

For I have dreams of my own

I do not want your fears –

For I have monsters enough

I do not want your leftovers –

For I have freshly baked needs

I do not want your playthings –

For I have imagination aplenty

I am a child of Africa

Young and shy and sweet

I smile to hide my nervous pride

And laugh with crystal joy

I am a child of Africa

Young and hip and cool

I dance my way to destiny

And rise on wings of change

Wayne Visser (C) 2014