Dislocation
First full day back in Africa.
Fading light in the sudden dusk
A pewter sky.
I’m bathed in a sudden flood of familiarity.
The shadows of childhood memories,
Of journeys on earth-packed roads
Through miles of thorn scrub.
I follow a footpath through knee-high bushes,
Their thorns, finger-long, are soft grey
As they catch the last of the light.
Suspended from umbrella-shaped acacia trees
The globes of weaverbird nests
Form silhouettes against the glowing sky.
I know photographs will not distil
This moment,
This evocation,
This recognition of belonging here.
I also belong a continent away,
The far side of the equator,
In a rain-soaked country,
Where, right now, thorn bushes are exuberant with May blossom.
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Author:
Morwenna (
Offline) - Published: September 14th, 2022 05:57
- Comment from author about the poem: This poem is written about a time BC - before Covid - when we visited friends in Africa.
- Category: Reflection
- Views: 21
Offline)
Comments3
So here you casually ( well - not casually, but deliberately) disclose in poetic form a whole part of your life hitherto hidden.
What an enjoyable surprise, Morwenna.
Postscript: Apologies - as I take a stroll (scroll?) through your back catalogue, I find.....
Do I feel an autobiograpical verse coming on? The Ballad of Stops and Starts perhaps?
Go on - whatever - I'll read it!
A captivating snippet of your happy revisit to a continent of exotic memories Morwenna - thank you for sharing some of your fantastic childhood in exciting Africa.
Oh thanks Fay that is kind - but to me England was exotic: apples in the shops! you could see your breath! Etc.
Wonderful words and memories Morwenna.
Andy
Aww thanks!
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