The Culture that Lies - Gabriel Ndende

#Say no to Tribalism

we see bombs now those bombs break our homes now we are homeless hoping to find homes in heaven

If my father were to speak at last - Loic Ekinga

Son, 

I never imagined anything I planted 

On my way here would grow as tall as you did

Let glory return to God—

Boy - Loic Ekinga

After Olivia Gatwood’s “Girl, after Ada Limón”

I will not be shamed for falling apart

And sinking into my mattress.

Brush-fire - Tchicaya U Tam’si

The fire the river that's to say
the sea to drink following the sand

The Belly Remains - Tchicaya U Tam’si

Sure the belly remains chaste
under a treasure of white bones
then open to a fighter’s song
lost body and soul
in the flames of his passion

Teach Me Peace - Nathan

Mother, teach me peace.
Everyone is making war, and we hardly ever see peace.
At school, I learn these things…

A Year of Grace - Monique Mbeka

I’m getting a year of grace
from my year of pain and rage,
my year of famine —
a year to study film
production in Kinshasa
and finally come of age.