I have been to Africa a number of times but I have never visited Kenya. It still felt like going home.
The Rift Valley is enormous and perhaps it was Tanzania with the Olduvai Gorge that was the real seat of humanity? That is where the Leakeys made their discoveries.
It matters little. For I know those early people roamed that land before it had a name and hunted the wild-life that was present in huge numbers. Talking to Pooja this morning reminded me of my romantic fascination. That was the cradle of mankind. We all came from under those huge Africa skies.
It contrasted to what I feel we have become – instead of proud hunters, part of the cycle of life, we are now scavengers pulling at the remains of its carcass – the carcass that we have brought down – the rump of all that remains of that majestic profusion.
Soon we will all be bones in the soil.
Kenya
Kenya – where the rich red soil of Africa is like the living blood of life,
Where bones protrude from the soil in profusion,
Testament to the proliferation of the creatures that were there before.
Kenya – whose valley was the seat of all our births.
Whose yellow sun and blue sky still shine as it did on the very first;
The first of us to stand tall, pick up a tool and question the stars.
Kenya – where the elephant once roamed in huge numbers and the game grazed the plains
Providing rich pickings for those who were there to be part of that web.
Kenya – where the air sang to the ears of those first people, where the land glowed with colour and the breeze was pungent with the scent of life.
Kenya where camp-fires warmed the soul with chatter and tales of daring
Where the stars mysteriously glistened and mystery abounded with wonder.
Kenya – where it began for us.
Now I want to stand in that valley, tease out the bones to remind me of the past, taste that breeze and look up at that sky
Just to see if there are any traces left of that magic.
For Kenya – I fear we’ve left our souls in the spilt blood of your soil, yet our bones are still inexplicably walking.
I would bury myself in your soil where I belong.
Opher 1.9.2017
