Paschal moon: Find the truth

Today’s National Poetry Month offering comes from a young Tanzanian poet, Zuhura Seng’enge. Only out of university for a couple of years, she’s been writing poetry in both English and Kiswahili since she was 12.

The poem I’m sharing is focused on the African experience, but I believe that Americans could well benefit from following its precepts—both as a nation and as individuals. I recognize that what Seng’enge enjoins is in no way easy, but even so…

“Do Not Fear the Past”

Do not fear the past.
It is ugly
but it is ours,
Do not hold on to lies
That you were fed when you were young.
Learn the history of your people
Find the truth
to free your soul from evil
Learn the Qur-an
Learn the bible
Find the meaning of life and religion.
Do not fear the past.
It is painful
but it is real
Blood was spilt and people died
but love and unity had survived.
Learn the tongue of your ancestors
Reconnect with the roots of your blood
Find the knowledge
That was stolen
Find the life that was robbed from us.
Do not fear the past.
Embrace it
Let it teach you the wisdom of your race
Take its lessons and live by them
Own the identity that was erased.
Do not fear the past,
Do not hate it.
Do not fear the past,
Learn about it.
Let it teach you
Let it nurture you
Let it remind you, of who you are