By ESTHER CHIZARAM NGELE

Let the ogene sound, and beat the gong aloud

Our future has arrived!

Let the dancers stomp in victory;

We are the conquerors

Nmamanu ooo!

We are the children of Afrik

The chosen one!

Our skin reflect our rich heritage

we shook hands with the devil and he mastered us

we washed our hands with blood now we are brand new

we have been avenged!

Oh the peace I feel when he wraps his arms around me

The fluttering of wings in my defense,

Glory!

Afore we would cry and beg our Chi to intervene

but these days we can’t control how they respond.

They came for us, broke our cord, and had us baptized.

They destroyed our roots, marinated us in confusion

Magnified the difference in appearance;

We mirrored their reflection

Ever since we conquered the fear of death, we’re on a glorious journey.

Hopefully we make it on time to the throne.

The one who engineered it all.

Our catastrophes his perfect planning.

He drew this landscape on our body.

We are ever naked before him.

Thorns have been molded into a crown for us.

We are living in Glory

Religion didn’t bring me this far, love did.

I’m sure my membership card is torn already.

How brilliant are the sermons of truth? Bless you.

Oh the glory that shields us, Amen.

There is no comparison to this feeling.

I too flee when the holy water come upon me

With each birth mark comes a revelation

African hips and thick thighs a glory to behold.

Kings are waiting for a glimpse.

The thunder won’t break until I speak

The je ne sais quoi radiation. Amen.

They children we birth and they ones we nursed

Scattered across the world

I feel nothing but joy

My restless spirit finally at peace

Who knew we would see this day

And call it yesterday by tomorrow

Oh the wax easily come off

But I’m still molding life

With nothing but joy and gladness

My love is pure; he has returned

Only to fetch for more

I’m African, ever green, ever strong

Living the truth and accepting redemption

Glowing in glory with no regret

•Esther Chizaram Ngele is a Law School student.

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