African Praise Poems

Train

 

You are the black centipede, the rusher with a black nose

Drinker of water, ....

You triumph over the man-devouring sun

And over the impenetrable darkness

As carnivorous animals drink blood day and night.

You are the centipede, the mighty roarer from within;

......

You are a traveler, the vigorous rapid one, fed up with the roads;

You are the one who kindles fire in the stomach;

You have defeated the horse.

When you raced, you were the fastest;

Sand filled the air, and you passed, you the black calf.

Demetrius Segooa (Sotho)

 

 

Bicycle

My frail little bicycle

The one with the scar,

My sister Seabelo,

Horse of the Europeans,

Feet of tire,

Iron horse

Swayer from side to side.

(Hurutshe)

 

From Leaf & Bone: African Praise Poems, Judith Gleason, Viking Pr., 1980

Student Poems:

"Blankey" by Keri Pahls

"In Praise of Sneakers" by Ms. Shiely's Class

"Daddy's Dirt Bike" by Derek Mickel

"Mountain Bike" by Aaron Ray