Sene-Gambia Blues Triolets
1.
The Crossing
On river Gambia slate and turtleback green,
men and women stand fifty strong in pirogues.
Big bags, mothers and children all lean,
on river Gambia slate and turtleback green.
Each wave is a prayer sung to the shoreline.
No room to sit, they are one communal breath.
On river Gambia slate and turtleback green,
men and women stand fifty strong in pirogues.
2.
Kaolack Crossroads
Bush taxi, goats, medallion cabs all tread
same dusty road in downtown Kaolack.
Islamic holy men wearing talismans and dreads.
Bush taxi, goats, medallion cabs all tread
this street where Senghor still lives.
Street children selling milk and old compacts.
Bush taxi, goats, medallion cabs all tread
same dusty road in downtown Kaolack.
3.
Catholic Church- Goree Island
We stand in clusters, tourists among sacred few.
Black saints and angels watching over us.
Priests prayed over slavers in African pews.
We stand in clusters, tourists among sacred few.
Our prayers almost pagan desiring the new.
Light no candles, claim no victory. Songless.
We stand in clusters, tourists among sacred few.
Black saints and angels watching over us.
