Lasana Bandelé

THIS LAND IS FREE This landIs freeBeautifulAnd freeExcept forThe stinking jailsAnd chained mindsIn concrete castlesThis land is freeOpen fieldsBreath takingMountain sidesCoolUnfailing waterfallsWhen you seeThe foodThis land yieldsYou'll seeThe land is freeFree, freeNot likeFree foodOr, free for allBut freeAs divinity, freeSlaves bloodHas been shedIt has been saidThe battle is wonAnd slaves are freeBut as far asEye can seeThe land alone is freeComeWonder in the artistic orchestrationOf sight lengthening varietiesOf treesBe dazzledBy legions of flowersIntoxicating, colourfulAnd wildBe stolenBy the polyphonic SymphoniesOf BirdsBe smotheredBy the punctuating drippingOf seeds and blossomsPlaying percussive melodiesOn dry leaves, rotten woodsAnd bare ground, classicallyThis land is freeExcept for thoseWho are slavesTo their freedomWho are alwaysToo hungry to fightToo fearful to biteThe vampire's handsWho suck their children's bloodAnd keep the foodOut of the reach ofEveryone with the willBut not the means