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Fusion of Tabule, Balangi and Milo Jazz music regenerates accord at
Awojoh feast. I muse at crossroads, a communion of ancestral spirits:
sharing assorted kola nuts, drinking palm wine from gourd of peace.
Titans of unity: Clifford Fyle and John Akar were patriots of mettle,
glaring humility, steadfast nationalism, and integrity as selfless love.
Homegrown fowl savor fangadama: happy-clutching chicks roaming.

Teary-eyed folk embrace each other, tropical breeze hones a melody.
Sacrilege of alabaster balm of love: shrapnel pierced nation’s psyche.
Compatriots return home; to where their umbilical cords are rooted.
Christian or Muslim pray for healing, sharing, caring: God forgives.
Church bells toll: abiding gratitude hallows unerring artisan’s craft.

Salone is a heartland not wasteland: inspiration ripens genius in me
National Anthem unites us; renaissance to love peace blooms like a
baobab tree on one foundation. A fallen elephant is taller than grass.
Ignorance, curry-peppered fame ruined homeland. Tenacity as mental
prowess weather storms: rising motherland blazes into Star of Africa.

* Roland Bankole Marke is the author of two collections of poetry, 'Teardrops Keep Falling' and 'Silver Rain and Blizzard'. His third book is 'Harvest of Hate (Fuel for the soul)'. Visit his website at www.rolandmarke.com to sample more of his work.
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at http://www.pambazuka.org/.