Words of a Sage
Words of a Sage In my proud African village; I have the honor of hearing words of a sage, Saying: Remember this if the air ever smells of war; Only a stupid cow rejoices at a prospect of a beautiful abattoir ; But examine the spear that landed at your gate before the wound it tore, For on their ways you might find many more; Says the sage: If a neighbor’s spear lands at your door, Spear you could throw but that is a weak way to go; Swallow this: You have lost his respect and you are to blame; For neighbor's act is a measure of lost love and unison at your own home; Says the sage: question instead your own grand chiefs for their laxity and callus visage; Who, in times of windfall harvest shunned deliberation and seized rancor; Vesting none for the spirits of love of the living and the departed; Who in times of peace shunned to plant seeds of honor; Vesting less sacrifice of unison at the altar of nationhood; Lacking the wr...