African Tanka

i walk with tender
foot along the fatal shore of time
in absolute silence
hacking my way through the fog of misery;
the dangling vines of hope

the wind
sings the dreamtime
melody
under the infinite
sky of blue

the golden rays
of the fearless sun hang
over my shoulders
like the scented cloth of destiny;
cleansing my naked soul

yet, in my
solitude, I yearn for the gentle
light of heaven
the hidden compass to the true
north of my being

you anointed my body
with glee; quivering in ecstasy;
wrapping me
in the luminous waves
of beauty divine

your gentle touch
liberates my consciousness
nourishing my dreams…
the frisky moon dances in the fecund
island of desire


© Lawrence T. Udo-Ekpo