Hausa son

Written By: Douglas Curry 

carred by rat bites and whips' lacerations
unrelenting child warrior is unrepentant
in this hour conjuring dreams of yore
african buffalo baobab elders tomorrows

robust man-child of sixteen years
veteran of hunting triumphs lost battles
undone by new weapons and held captive
knowing only to resist what plans may be

heaved crashing into blue green waves
to swim and float finding no escape
nor rescue only dorsal fins sidling by
summoned by his flailing kicking stroking

exhaustion and the water's cold steal his strength
adrift in a reverie and a bottomless grave
relinquishing futile hope he mocks their defeated plan
remaining forever a free warrior son of niger

floating on his back, inhaling the salty humidity
lapped by waves in the sun- kissed breeze
the wooden dungeons have left gone without him
their sails billowing over the horizon into ignominy