Time Again Poem by Elna Nel

it's been given
to you
life….
but now
you follow the ink
which is behind you
today is a blur
of history
to come
tomorrow
is every day
and your children's past
flies along the beat
of the drum
which no one listens to -

though nations see
your pain
o Africa
in grey your blues
and greens
are dissolving
slowly in praise
but not for man's fame -

this is time
honourless
running across
dreams
provoking some
calming others
but for you
my child
follow the ink
in your heart
write on the plains
of Africa
with the beat
of your passion

for a country
in the bubble
of time again
and nations to pray for
it's been given
a while in greens
and blues
and life
today
for man's frame
is subtle
in it's claim
for space
is dark
is Africa

timeless is
the bracing
of the unknowing
the poor greed
of the powerless
a predator stained
with bloody seed
so time again
is life….
is long
a blink
and man
is not strong
and the fortune
of power
is death…