Africa tell me Africa
Is this your back that is bent
This back that breaks under the weight of humiliation
This back trembling with red scars
under the midday sun
But a grave voice answer me
Impetuous child that tree young and strong
That tree over there
Splendidly alone amidst white and faded flowers
That is your Africa springing up anew
Springing up patiently obstinately
Whose fruits bit by bit acquire
The bitter taste of liberty.

And it is true we are wounded
at the lowest point of hope
but hope in us has never beaten its wing
it rises on our human horizons
like a fresh unfolding bud
there lives in us unconquerable hope
snapping at the heels of freedom
in due course it hunts down the dawn with huge supplies
of stones
against the wall that will crack in the end
for we will not leave the smallest scrap
to the demons of despair

David Diop. Senegal (1927-1960)

Paulin Joachim. Benin (1931- )