Page 40 - v3 Yearbook
P. 40
THE AFRICAN to W.F. Conton
I You cannot catch my cow Just as I am! So let swimming sheep swim
Just as you can Just as I am- And leave my stars to shine!
Just as I am! Not arrest the clouds; Counted with those who walk,
Just as I am- Let singing lizards sing. You cannot shake my spear V
Counted with those who breath, And leave my grass to green! Just as you can
You cannot break my bone Just as I am! Not count the stars: Just as I am!
Just as you can Just as I am- So let crawling cows crawl Just as I am-
Not scan the sun; To touch of those who feel, And leave my mind to move! Counted with those with hearts,
Let watching witches watch You cannot sing my song You cannot know my woe
And leave my brook to bark! Just as you can Just as you can
Just as I am! Not hold the air; IV Not drink the dam;
Just as I am- So let standing stones stand Let fading flowers fade
In eyes of those who see, And leave my cocks to crow! Just as I am! And leave my seed to sink!
You cannot grade my grain Just as I am- Just as I am!
Just as you can Counted with those with tongue, Just as I am-
Not catch the wind; III You cannot face my foe To minds of men who think,
So let fighting flies fight, Just as you can You cannot cut my corn
And leave my land to lie! Just as I am! Not drink the dam; Just as you can
Just as I am- Let wailing wizards wail Not count the sand;
To noses of those who smell, And leave my waves to break! So let talking trees talk
II You cannot sail my sea Just as I am! And leave my goats to graze!
Just as you can Just as I am-
Just as I am! Not reach the sky You cannot burn my bush
Just as I am- Let falling fairies fall Just as you can
Counted with those with limbs, And leave my fish to float! Not count the ants;
(Reprinted with permission from “The Oath Of The Fontomfrom and Other Poems,” by John Okai, Copyright 1971, published by Simon and Schuster, USA)
WEYGEYHEY 96 39 20TH ANNIVERSARY YEARBOOK
