Why I love Africa #2
When I first came to Africa, I expected the land to breathe.
I expected that it would be different here.
As if I had spent my life feeling the radial pulse of the earth, now I would stand by its heart.
I thought that I would find that the African earth was so alive that it could not help but live.
And that the people of Africa would live a transcendent life that transports them heaven-ward because they were so near to the life blood of the earth.
When I arrived and saw the blood-red soil and when I experienced the jubilant music and dancing, I thought that perhaps I was right. I was wrong. I have found that Africa is not the heart of the earth, pumping out life-blood for the rest of the world because it has to. It gives life because it wills to. It gives life, but not without pain and suffering. Africa gives life because it has experienced real death. When Africa has peace, it is because it has housed real conflict. Africa gives love because it was devastated by real hate. Africa triumphs because it has been so defeated. Africa gives life by dying to itself. Like a woman giving birth, Africa gives life through struggle, sacrifice, tearing, bleeding and abundant joy. The people of Africa do dance a transcendent dance, but it is firmly rooted in the rhythm of this earth. This is why I love Africa. — Mandy Bristol, MozambiqueÂ
(Source: BBC)
Why I love Africa #2
When I first came to Africa, I expected the land to breathe.
I expected that it would be different here.
As if I had spent my life feeling the radial pulse of the earth, now I would stand by its heart.
I thought that I would find that the African earth was so alive that it could not help but live.
And that the people of Africa would live a transcendent life that transports them heaven-ward because they were so near to the life blood of the earth.
When I arrived and saw the blood-red soil and when I experienced the jubilant music and dancing, I thought that perhaps I was right. I was wrong. I have found that Africa is not the heart of the earth, pumping out life-blood for the rest of the world because it has to. It gives life because it wills to. It gives life, but not without pain and suffering. Africa gives life because it has experienced real death. When Africa has peace, it is because it has housed real conflict. Africa gives love because it was devastated by real hate. Africa triumphs because it has been so defeated. Africa gives life by dying to itself. Like a woman giving birth, Africa gives life through struggle, sacrifice, tearing, bleeding and abundant joy. The people of Africa do dance a transcendent dance, but it is firmly rooted in the rhythm of this earth. This is why I love Africa. — Mandy Bristol, MozambiqueÂ
(Source: BBC)
Posted 3 months ago & Filed under Mandy Bristol, mozambique, love poem, Africa, 4 notes
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