Africa's Sun

The sun shines
on my brown skin
accentuating its rich tones.
The sun's iridescent light
makes me glow,
Causing sweat beads to accumulate
and slide down my weary face.
The sun's warmth
keeps me secure --
Knowing that it will be there tomorrow
glistening like a charming grin.
Its beams vibrate like the resounding beat of a drum;
pulsating in my heart;
shimmering on my coiled locks --
hinting hues of dark, light, and golden browns.
The sun continues to shine from a distance.
Shifting as the day progresses.
Its rays shortening;
succumbing to the night sky.
It slowly descends --
Giving way to the fluorescence of the moon,
Another source of light,
Until tomorrow.

Written: 2.1.10

~Patrice

Kakum

Heart's beating faster and faster
Adrenaline's rushing in
One quivery foot embarks on the journey
While the other follows in trepidation
Slowly inching away on the wooden planks
Hands grip the netting
Guiding the body
to glide towards them
And urging the feet
to keep going
Sweat drips down the brow
and rolls off the nose
Anxiety sets in
A seemingly endless journey
Until it reaches a hiatus at the post
Then the journey begins again
on the next bridge
and the next
and the next
and so forth
Until the quivering feet are not quivering anymore
as they approach the last bridge
A sigh of relief is released
Butterflies flutter out
Feels like a bird after a long flight
The journey is complete
In the heart of Kakum

Written: 1.29.10

~Patrice