Red Dirt

red dirt runs thick through my veins
promising me
that if i return, it will expel
and rid myself of this
craze
this red dirt. which
causes my heart to beat
with the rhythm of the drums
pounding out their worship
sunrise
to the star-flung night
we chant and sing
clap our hands, dance
faces, faces
black and white
chants
as the red dust flies
into our mouths.
breathing in africa
breathing out our homes
for now we are home
the dust in our hair, nose, teeth, eyes
proves it.
the red dirt clogs my veins.
enters my heart.
promising me
a swift return.
the dirt must go back
replace replace
to where it came.

TIA, ti amo, te amo.
for what is it to love another?
what is it to love a country?
what is it to love a place?
are not these places
just faces and faces
the faces we love?

the red dirt smeared on his little black feet
the day he runs up to me and we meet
red dust flung into his hair
brush it out, brush it out,
the kids don't care.
their blood must be red from this african dirt.
running and playing, happy, carefree.
what a world we would live in if we all could be.

cover your mouth
don't breathe in.
too late
you did it.
you're infected
with africa.
with africa love.