Open, My Friend

I knocked at your door
I tested your heart
for a bed and some warmth.
Don’t send me off... 
open, my friend.
 
I’m not back, 
I’m not red,
I’m neither gold 
nor white,
I’m just human...
Don’t send me off... 
open, my friend.

Rene' Philombe
 

You Live in My Heart

Jesus, my Lord,
I do not see you.
But you are everywhere;
You are in me.
You live in my heart.
And when I look for you
all I have to do is talk to you.
Then you are here.
Then I find you again.
Then I know you love me
and I love you too.

(From a child in Cameroon)

Morning Prayer
 
Dear Sun,
while you, 
under God’s guidance,
rise above the horizon,
clean out from me
every evil thought 
during the night.
Dear Lord, bless me,
and spare my family 
from any harm.
Guide me during 
the hard work of the day.
Oh God, grant me a loving heart
so that I may show compassion
to your suffering people.
And today, 
with the rising of the sun,
share your abundant gifts
with every one.
Bring me joy, this day. 
Amen
 

And they die of hunger

In a dream, I saw countries
from all the corners of the world
under the chains of rulers,
weights, and compass;
barren forests, burned hills,
valleys and rivers amidst only stumps.
 
Even though vast is the world,
I saw nations under the chains
of an iron grill of railroads,
the peoples of the south
busy bees working in silence.
 
Though holy is the work,
it’s no longer accompanied by the rhythm of the drums,
or by the seasons that come and go.
Nations of the South, in shipyards
docks, mines, and factories,
abandoned at night in poor neighborhoods.
They all pile up
mountains of red gold
mounts of black gold:
And yet, they die of hunger!

Senegal - Leopold Senghor