Smoke in the air–
not pine or ash or some North American tree
a tropical smoke smokier than smoke–
permeates my skin, my hair, my soul
Hard red dirt
turns everything a shade of orange
but resists the probing roots of all but the hardiest
Trees looking like broken umbrellas
Baobabs sleekly reaching for the sky roots in the air
Banyans searching for the earth
Palms pound coconuts to the ground or give directions home
Mango trees straight out of every child’s tree drawing
Bright colors on dark skin
fingers floating across cloth
flowers better left in the ground than captured for a vase
Bats pinging
Djembes keep the rythm of the night
while fire crickets threaten sanity
and ceiling fans purring and whirring invite sleep
I know my own version of what you’re talking about
(This was my response—with some minor modifications— to this post at A Gypsy Mama today. If you were ever looking for a new blog to read, go here.)
photo courtesy of longwayround/Luke and Kate Bosman
10 responses to “Indelible”
This is good, Sheryl!
ahhhh Africa… mannnnn between the two of you today I am sooooo missing my Africa.
*sigh*
*big sigh*
I was just looking up pictures of Allada, Benin (my hometown) and reading a peace corps blog about Benin today. I think there is something about Africa that gets in you and won’t you let you go. I miss it.
You’re right, Nathan. Africa does grab you and it won’t let you go. I always find it interesting in how a continent binds people, too. When I meet someone from just about anywhere in Africa there seems to be an unexplainable connection. Perhaps when we’re not there missing it draws us closer to those who have the same home shaped hole in their hearts.
I can feel, smell, hear and see Cote D’Ivoire! Good poetry!
Thanks, Laurie . . . and Shelley, too!
Yes, this piece is fantastic. I could live in those words. I have lived in some of them.
I got to spend some in person time with Jenny Rain on Friday – she speaks so highly of you. It’s always a treat to discover people off line as well as in their writing.
Thanks again for this,
Lisa-Jo
Thanks, Lisa-Jo! I miss some of those sights and sounds.
Jenny told me she got to spend some time with you. I was just a little bit envious! Maybe one day we’ll get to meet . . . maybe even in Africa!
Soul, this is beautiful poetry. Brings back memories, but I don’t have the same Africa ache as you do… I wasn’t there for long, and all the time the France-ache was still in me. Good to be home. 🙂
Soul
Thanks, Soul. I’m always fascinated by the home-aches God puts in our hearts for places we weren’t born to. I think that’s one of the fascinating side perks of my role—seeing so many people come through with aches for so many places that have never popped into my mind as a place to actively miss.