Mama Africa

The food you brought us made us healthy, made us strong,
It always brought us together
You birthed each of us into mature and loving young adults
Your smile was warm and innocent, yet strong
You taught us to be kind to one another, to be kind to those in need
And gave meaning to all our hard work
You nurtured each of us as your own
Showed us that the simple things go the longest way
Your smooth soul gave us hope, your moves gave us passion
Every day you overcame a challenge with grace
You always gave your all to all of us, to each of us
Never leaving one youthful soul neglected
You performed mini miracles with your hands
From the kitchen, to the laundry room, to our hair

You made our hectic lives seem normal
You made our houses a home
You taught us all so much:
How to love, how to appreciate, how to use the cards you are dealt
Never would we know you would be dealt your final card so soon
You were our mother, our sister, our aunt, and our grandmother
Mama Africa, we love you
Mama Africa, we miss you
Mama Africa, we thank you

~For Mama Selina
Image Courtesy of Arnaud (African Student Union)