I AM A TRAVELER

I AM A TRAVELER
Louis Gakumba

I am a traveler for safety
From a far country where
Once rivers ran red
And sky filled with silent smoke,
Where once the power of hatred
Buried love in a closed tunnel
I am a traveler

I am a traveler for safety
From a far country
Where once stars shone no more
Shading obscure of black fear
Covering land with streams of blood,--
Where waves of hatred
Flooded homes with disguise,
Where death seemed so close
As looking in the mirror--
Where once eagles flew in slow motion
Thanking the hands of human being
I am a just a traveler

I am a traveler for safety
From a far country
Known by its history of war.
Crimes against humanity
Made it a reference,--
A reference for worse killing
Fruits of deep roots of racism
Till corpse invaded lakes
I am a traveler

I have traveled to a far country
Where I was referred to as
A Negro black or African American—
You name me
Nonetheless, this time not as a Tutsi
I am a traveler for safety
This time not away from machetes
Only currents of more racism
I am a traveler

Racism have burned us to ash
Leaving flames of anger to engulf
The human heart
Melting love in a kettle of hatred
I wish the world wasn’t so blind
Blind enough not to see the reference
I am just a traveler for safety
I have traveled