This one is dedicated to all those living far away from home, with a heart for
home and longing to see our people free; those struggling to come out of our
common dilemma and those in search of knowledge to put to the service of our
people

The river

Oh mama
It cannot be long from now
Before we step into your ocean of warmth
Been roaming and raving
Yes sometimes raging and ravaging
Look at those worn out shoes
See this hair style
As if the devils spent a whole day
Wrestling on my head

Rivers flow
Collecting mass from the source
Picking up debris
Depositing sediments
Scratching the roughness
Of their soles and the air above

Sucking in air
To provide for life
Throwing particles in all directions
Blurring the vision
As if to confuse the mind
Yet simply performing
In a truly natural process

Draining the swollen wounds
Of this wonderful earth
Swelling to refill the empty spaces
Left behind by the tropical heat

Meandering with beauty
Brushing through forests and meadows
Providing water for the women
As they do their laundry on the river side
Singing songs of freedom
Longing for that day
When their children will come back
To bath in the river
Their laughter cracking in the air
To heal their aching souls

Into the belly of the ocean
The river empties its content
Earth goes back to earth
Water flows back to water

Oh mama
I feel your warmth
Let our hearts fuse together
Our efforts are now joined
Together we will be free

Alpha Robinson

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