Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Dirge for Maya Angeolu

A great soul and an extra-ordinary child of nature has departed.

On Wed, May 28, 2014 at 8:54 PM, 'Michael Afolayan' via USA Africa Dialogue Series <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:

The Caged Bird Is Free! 

Michael O. Afolayan

Springfield, Illinois

The caged bird is free

Mother Rhino has dived deep into the bottomless sea -

Tomorrow, she will rise on the wings of the angry wave..

The roaring spirit of the lioness has soared beyond the blue -

Tomorrow, she will descend like the singing dove.

The queen of words has withdrawn into the innermost chamber

Tomorrow, she will emerge in her royal glamor.

It's the burning of the palace -

Tomorrow, it brings beauty for the ashes.

So long Maya -

Mother of all griots

Legend of words

We'll see you tomorrow when you return

Tomorrow, when you return, we will see you

Tomorrow, we will see you when the caged birds have to sing.

Soar, Maya, for now, you are free!

On Wednesday, May 28, 2014 10:29 AM, Toyin Falola <toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu> wrote:

African Dirge for Maya Angeolu

by Bayo Omolola

Big loss!
Indigo bird dies!
No more shall we see can-wood!
But its color, ever shall it remain and be appreciated.
Powerful voice that raises other voices up
And makes hopeless hopeful,
In the house or wherever you're now,
The world still cares to listen to you.

"Caged bird,"
May the world hear you talk again?
Memory of thee lingers on;
Like Hollywood owns American movies,
You own the voices of the oppressed
And the righteous thinkers.

On a day of joy,
The break from the past,
As a new dawn opened in the chapters of American history
And the world,
Your poem gave rhythm of freedom
And millions of people saw the light that beamed on the past.
From the White House to South Africa
From your pens
And through your voice,
The world knows better.

Simple in language,
Deep in thoughts,
You're Maya.

When the wind blows
and your spirit flows
On a new journey
Now you're.

Griots feel the vacant space;
Chanters know the effect of the current moment.
The world knows you're no more.
Rising to the moon
As your noon
Descends to night.
Great minds lives
As body becomes motionless.
Among the chosen ones
Lies the great fighters for justice.

Adieu, Maya Angeolu,
Strong fighter for justice and human dignity,
One American:
Many Americans.
One poet:
Many voices!
Adieu!
Peace may you rest forever!

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