The Victory Song

by Mary Manuel
(Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria)

Feet move to heightening beat
Bodies reluctantly sway to it-
The music of their fathers' fathers
In their own mother land
At the threatening faces of whips
With the scary look of doom
Lips mouth the victory song
That was sung by the gong
When the days were theirs
In their own mother land
Strained voices sing aloud
From fear of slashing whips
Slaves in their own lands
They sing their ancestors' song
The victory song; in their defeated land...