PAULINE PETERS

Alkebulan Dream

In those great and many varied countries, sharing one mass of land, people are the colour of dark brown sugar, people are dangerous and sweet, people are sun-loved, their bright skin shining, smooth in those great and many countries. 

In those great and many varied countries, people dream in chords, their dreams arrive on horseback, songs are freely given in those great and many countries.

In those great and many varied countries, the earth is danced around the sun, the earth is spun beneath dark feet, clothes are worn like the kingfisher’s flight in those great and many countries.

In those great and many varied countries, dance is the geometry of stars, water is a gift balanced on the head, people are supple and drum-proud in those great and many countries. 

When they sing to the gods, the gods listen, they sing the gods to sleep, the gods stretch and yawn, ease enters their bones. 

In those great and many varied countries sharing one mass of land, speech is song, music is water, gratitude falls like rain, dancing feet write in the earth the history of worlds to come.