decolonization

language sustains
culture and philosophy
in correlation

i write this
in an acquired english
language of the colonies
when i should
express myself
in the writing
of my inherent tongue

i search for the words
of my lost childhood
a tinge of rhythm
still remains
to communicate
my thoughts
and findings
i could not then

far removed
in time and space
i can only circumscribe
my loss of culture
as i sense
my way ahead
in slow deliberation
of an elephant
wandering through the bush
on a moonless night
instead of floating
in an eloquent dance
from word to word
with the casual lightness
of a butterfly

i am without
the fire

until i regain
my native tongue
to articulate
my speechlessness
and unbelieving reasoning
effectively
in an indigenous sonata
composed in freedom
of my liberated mind
i had found
while sifting
through the ashes