ChickenBones: A Journal

for Literary & Artistic African-American Themes

   

Home   Visit Our Store (Books, DVDs, Music, and more)    

Google
 

When I get to heaven / I'll sing the blues and dance the Sumu.

I'll paint my face with white chalk and red rock

 

 

 

When I Get to Heaven

 

By Patricia Jabbeh Wesley 

 

When I get to heaven

I'm going to shout hallelujah all over the place.

Dancing the Dorklor, the Wahyee,

the Ballet, the Rock and Roll.

I'll dance the Brake, the Rap, Hip-Hop.

All the dances only sinners have danced.

I'll sing Opera, the African way,

dance the Ballet the African way.

 

When I get to heaven

I'll pray so loud, shaking hands the White way,

the Black way; greeting with kola nuts

as the Grebos do.

I'll lie prostrate, to greet

the Yoruba way. Snap fingers to greet

as Liberians do.

There will be no boundaries, law laws, no rules.

 

When I get to heaven

I'll sing the blues and dance the Sumu.

I'll paint my face with white chalk and red rock, 

sit with missionaries so all can see

I'll pound my drums, shaking my Sahsah.

Blowing my trumpet the African way

Dancing to Jesus the African way

*   *   *   *   *

*   *   *   *   *

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf  (video)

*   *   *   *   *

 

 

 

 

 

 

update 4 October 2008

 

 

Home Patricia Jabbeh Wesley Table    Transitional Writings on Africa   The African World 

Related files:  Willis Knuckles Saga  I, Momolu or Liberia in the Bush   African President Addresses US Congress  After All the Flame   Deposing Charles Taylor