Motherland

Welcome to the Motherland

I hold your entire life

in the palm of my hand

Find your faith in my arms

lay your pain at my feet

I hold you

My skin is darkened,

hips are wide;

they sway with the wind

as I prance in the tides

Welcome to the Motherland

Sometimes, I think you hate me

My lips and my curls wound you

You try to put me down

And remove my crown

Cut me with your eyes

But each venomous lie

makes me stronger

Welcome to the Motherland

Not talking about Africa

I’m talking about the calm of my hands

rhythm in my steps

strength in my feet

voice between my lips

power in my eyes

depths of my soul

and the fight in my cries

Welcome to the Motherland

I hold your entire life

in the palm of my hand

I hold you

till the heat dies down

in the sweep of the night