Elorm Dogbo

I thank God
I was born an African
I thank God
I was born in this generation
Where slavery is abolished
If I had been born in the generation
Of my forefathers,
I would have been sold
A slave for a mirror,
A gun,
For what?
To kill my brother’s keeper?

I thank God
I was born an African
I thank God
I was born in this generation
Where I can tell the history
Not from my experience
But from the words whispered
By my forefathers down to their progeny
Till I had a morsel in my ears
When it was my turn
At the age of ten.

I thank God
I was born an African
I thank God
I was born in this generation
Where the Door of No Return
Is only a name in my ears?
In this generation where I can go
To the Cape Coast Castle as a tourist
And not as a slave in shackles
As it was in this country
Centuries ago.

I thank God
I was born an African
I thank God
I was born in this generation.
But I pray oh God
If there is ever any reincarnation,
Let me come in a liberal generation
As the one I live in.
I am grateful
For being an African
Though I am not great yet.

Elorm Dogbo