needs to be remembered.there but for the grace of God
LOSS OF INNOCENCE
Just the merest indication - just a ripple, like a breeze
gently blowing has caused movement in the grass.
Then all is still. The sun beats down on the gold savannah plains
and nothing moves - as if nature has reached impasse.
But a closer look reveals a darker shading, just a touch
and it moves – a twitch, no more to airlift flies.
A lioness in wait for the chance of passing game
surveys her world through molten golden eyes.
Above, the sky is cloudless, just a vast expanse of blue.
A canopy of indigo. Such a beautiful shade,
of brooding blue merging to purple – it is truly heavenly.
Just another gift that nature has displayed.
And slowly as the night creeps in the brightness disappears
replaced with darker shadows on the earth,
an opal moon rides heavens winds, her sycophants emerge
and twinkling - celebrate her rebirth.
But the winds of change are blowing out of Africa these days,
the disgruntled voices now heard loud and clear .
Rape,thieving and destruction, mass atrocity, genocide
have replaced her gentle innocence with fear.
Now plastic smiles are worn by some, and others only tears.
Glass hearts no longer care about their land
and voices heard are much too loud – under the influence
of the corruption of those men now in command.
And it started as a ripple, as a feeling of unrest
just like a breeze that causes movement in the grass;
but those winds of change were stirring feelings in Africa’s breast
and those days of innocence are gone. Long passed.
Maureen Clifford © 09/11