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Shariff Ashanti
RIVER GODDESS
Breathtaking,
Dangerous.
Sensual waters,
Deadly undercurrents
I know your story
Keeper of secrets
Hidden in your curves
Guardian of mysteries,
treasures deep within
Lush river valleys
And oversized hips
I caught you creeping with the devil
You said he taught you things
We weren't meant to know
Now I'm your co-defendant,
Under cosmic indictment
And I really don't appreciate that shit,
But damn, you fine!
Sister of Oya,
Bride of Shango,
Stolen from Ogun
Damn, you fine!
You've flowed for centuries
Seduced kings
Destroyed nations
Built empires
Dark, as mysterious night
Radiant, like sunrise over the Nile
Adored by nations
Worshipped by warriors
Submerge me in your sweet waters
Or overflow your banks in rage
When you're feeling bitchy
And wipe out whole cities
Just don't ever reverse course
Slip off into secret tributaries
Or dare to flow into another ocean
WHEN I HEAR DRUMS
Thunderous bata
Lightning jimbe
When I hear drums I become them
Sound waves living, breathing,
Move in me, through me, and with me
And I move with them
Spirits of passion
In the drums of dance
Spirits of anger
In the drums of war
When I hear drums, but wait
I don't just hear drums, I feel them
And drums of dance
Remind me of
Negro spirituals, and Zora Neale Hurston
Church hymns and club anthems
Palm wine stands on up-country roads,
Full lips and big-ass hips
When I hear drums
Of war, I think of
Republicans, and Clarence Thomas
Redneck cops and playa haters
Corporate interest foreign policy
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