the dream phoenix

eyes and hearts batik-stained with fire,
burn for peace--
nourish our people--
and nurture the dream seeds.

2.

we are the grinding tectonic movement that reverberates as loud
as the songvoice and cries of our brothers and sisters in south
africa.

3.

no ink, no fire, no fbi, no cia, no gun, no disappearance,
not even all the sawdust from the world's forests will conceal the blood---

4.

young babe nestled at the hearth of your mother's bosom;
you are the offspring of the dream phoenix.

5.

razor through the sky on muscular wings.
dive with purity and grace, immortal bird.

6.

sleep fiery bird and dream of oceans, deluges, and hurricanes.
awaken to ascend--awaken to douse the world with all the waters
of your imagination, poetry, dance, music, love, and vision.

7.

i look out into our cities and
i look into the lava sun of afrika
and then into your eyes.
i am blinded by the life that burns for peace,
and the eternal flame that blazes incandescent in the black
pupils of your eyes and hearts.
it is then i know, without test or flesh,
that we are all brothers and sisters.