singing Africa

Who can hide
from the red Sun?
Hanging in blue sky,
bloodied and alone.
The golden grass,
the weeping trees
whose tears fade
in killing heat -
these two shall die.
What is shade
under leafless tree?
Retreating spring;
leaping from green
only to fall inbetween.
Barren land,
burned to silence -
where water ran
rings a falling silence.
Who will hear
the cries of man,
whose crop-food
burns on the beaten land?
We danced for rain
like leaves in wind,
and with bent knees
and cupped hands,
caught the sweat
that fell from brows.
Who can calm
the raging Sun.