Jomo*

Jomo was a boyhood hero even though
He too knew the sharp end of the machete.
I felt his mystery and his Africa.
Why not escape the wheel and the boot on his neck?
Isn't it a forever when years later a flag or nation or
Anthem is played because of you having lived?
Aren't the marches marched for a reason and when
Will they not be oh grand duke de Afrique!
You could have been the anti-Washington
Having white people for slaves? Ridiculous!
It was enough trouble just to get their attention
Let alone an agreement to be shackled and whipped.
Now they pay to visit native animals,
Still stealing heads for their mantles,
Not much has changed excepting the name on the bank account.
Where now is Louis Will de Beast and
The anarchy of the hooves?
Perhaps rehearsing in a downtown alley.
*Jomo Kenyatta - Kenyan nationalist and first president of Kenya, 1964 - 1978.