By these great waters we sit, staring at the hollowness we’ve become
We are drowned, though we breathe
James, which was his new name, kept rudely muttering our deepest thoughts,
Our soul-searching question,
“What happened?”

Tinuke washed Dashikis in Senegal before Muganza went fishing
The little ones’ smiles reflected everyone’s content
Hunger arrived with the evening, but so did Muganza with satisfaction
Women rallied round and cooked up the air with desire
They pleased us and we provided all their wants

Oulawa first disappeared.  
Rumor had it that it was voudoo of neighboring enemies.  
The spirits took him earlier than expected.
More villagers gone with the wind
And now us
It’s no secret now; the river tells all

The crack of a whip, a docking ship
The passengers’ vibe resurfaces unpleasantries

The river runs from love to hate
It bears our fate
All we can ever do is have faith
While we carry hell’s weight

We heard a commanding voice behind us saying,
“Sing your song”
But how can we sing King Alpha’s song in a strange land