Songs of Anisha
“Bird of Paradise,”
by D.M.D. Goodhead
O bird of paradise, O flower of paradise
Dancing in the sun on the island of Martinique
Sweet, sweet flower, O sweet, sweet flower,
You remind me of one so many times
Sweeter than you. O flower of paradise,
O flower of paradise, if you have eyes and can see,
You will marvel at her singing beauty,
O flower of paradise, O bird of paradise,
If you have eyes, and can see,
You will marvel at her marvelous generosity.
O bird of paradise, O bird of paradise,
You remind me of my love—
Star of the emerald isle,
Where the purple dog is king.
“She Sees,”
by Adebayo Akinloye
beyond the birdsongs and games
beyond the immemorial shrines
of herbal concoctions
beyond the nebulous clouds
of crises plaguing her virgin land
she sees the change…
beyond the tunnel of travails
of transporting her people out of her land
beyond the cosmetropolitan matrix
she sees the connection…
beyond the end
she sees the beginning
and the world and humanity
are waiting for her.
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