At first I thought the poem was about Africa. The beginning is so detailed you can visualize the scene in your head while reading. As I continued on it appeared to me that Africa was a women expressing her thought and view on something that was on her mind. I felt someone expressing themselves about there surrounding, there cultural and wanted to let the world know about it. It became more heartfelt and deep once God was brought into the picture. When I actually sit back and reflect on What is Africa to me, I think of the motherland as some may call it and a country were some of our ancestors have come from. Visiting the country is something that I have always wanted to do. You see images of the country in movies and tv and they show the good and bad. I visualize Africa like the beautiful scene in The Lion King. Seeing the animals and the forest. Its more to Africa than what we see and hear on TV. Some people fail to see the beauty in the country and speak bad things about. Such as it's a poor country. I truly don't believe the myths about the country. One day I will be able to strike wanting to visit Africa off my bucket list, because I will make that trip.
Hi,
I struggled trying to understand the poem too, and I had to read it over again and then go find notes on the internet to further explain it before I actually got the meaning of it. I did not look at the symbolism of Africa being a woman expressing herself, probably because I am not a woman and I look at things so literally. That literal perspective gets me in trouble often. However, now that you mention it, it could seem like a woman with the controversy of feeling one way, yet feeling another way in the midst of the poem. This is an interesting perspective and should be explored more. Thanks!
Hi monew18
Yes, I struggled at first reading this also. I had to read it again and then I realized that there was a struggle going on. Spiritual, cultural and physical as well. There were vivid visuals and a longing of hope mixed with a bit of disappointment. Very interesting choice of words and then the presence of God and spirituality, complex packaging layered over words!