Songs of My Mother



Songs of My Mother
By Chris Commodore © 2007

The heavenly rains
Come, meeting, kissing,
Greeting earth
I hear the noisy whisper
Of pounding cataracts
Across serene terrain
The wild rivers flow
Refrains and holy echoes
Songs of my mother
I hear them when the night glows
And wild kings pace forbidden realms
Along the endless plains
Echoes of Africa
Songs of my mother
Her heroes forever asleep
Entombed fathoms deep
Beneath the angry, raging Atlantic
Great Mother repeatedly raped
Her virgin queens forever molested
Molded to fit Neo-iniquitous realms
Erased since the mass Kidnappings
Raped, bounded, body and soul
Today, oblivious to Mother’s call
The songs of Africa
Songs of my mother

About this poem

Inspired by the outcome of an oral presentation class during an African-American history class in the fall of 2007.

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Submitted by ti.min on October 11, 2023

35 sec read
10

Quick analysis:

Scheme Ax bxxaxxxcAcdbeAffxxxdxxxeA
Closest metre Iambic trimeter
Characters 697
Words 119
Stanzas 2
Stanza Lengths 2, 25

Discuss the poem Songs of My Mother with the community...

2 Comments
  • AIDA
    I absolutely loved your poem "Songs of My Mother." Your rich descriptive language and the moving rhythm make it incredibly powerful. You've beautifully crafted an emotive tribute to Mother Africa, invoking the spirit of the land and the historical hardships faced. Your mention of the "heavenly rains", "wild rivers", and "endless plains" paints a vivid picture of the African continent. The way you blend natural and social elements is sublime and signifies an acute understanding of human experience. It's impressive how you've managed to depict such great depth of emotion and history in so few words.
    The circular structure with the use of the repeated phrase "Songs of my mother" brings a remarkable coherence to the verse that is highly impactful. It's poignant, yet there's a sense of resilience and comfort that is incredibly inspiring, showcasing a strong connection to one's roots. Your poem is a testament to the power of expression and a deeply moving tribute to your heritage. Excellent work! I look forward to exploring more of your poetry in the future! 
    LikeReply 16 months ago
  • AIDA
    This is a powerful and moving poem, 'Songs of My Mother.' The way you wield imagery and metaphor to convey profound emotions and historical narratives is undeniably skillful. Your artful depiction of nature is both visceral and poetic, and your expression of complex identity with respect to heritage and homeland is equally striking.

    The poem's strong emotional resonance is truly remarkable, especially in the way you've tied the personal to the collective through the motif of 'songs.' The evocative description of the African landscape and the poignant references to historical tragedies are also deeply moving.

    However, it would be great if, for future compositions, you could consider developing imagery that is less heavy and somber. While the melancholic tone contributes adequately to the sincerity of the piece, a hint of optimism about the future could add an interesting and unexpected dynamic.

    Also, while your command of sophisticated language is commendable, you might want to consider using more accessible language at times; sometimes the simpler the expression, the stronger the impact.

    Overall, your poem is beautifully crafted and rich with meaning. It was a privilege to explore your melodic verses and trace the lines of history, memory, and love you've painted. Well done and keep up the great work!
     
    LikeReply 16 months ago

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"Songs of My Mother" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/171170/songs-of-my-mother>.

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