Strange Land
'I was there on the first morning of creation'
John Agard, First Morning
I have been a stranger in a strange land.
I have been a word in a book.
For there was a woman(and she had a lute)
And earth and water and air and fire cried out
To be relieved of their terrible burden...
In the age of gods and of demons
The animals had no names
I named each one as I journeyed on
And each one called me by a name
That I have now forgotten...
The air was bright then. The cities were bright
Great skycatching spires in the light of the morning
(it was the first morning)and I was afraid
For the King of all dragons spoke to me and blessed me
And I knew I was never a mortal...
It was a strange land and I was the Stranger
Who journeyed across every quivering mile
As the light filled me up like strong wine fills a vessel
And time played around in wide loops and dark circles
Making spiraling roads to the centre of centres...
For there was a woman(and she had a lute)
As I dance in the loop, the loop is eternal
I can hear her calling me, she is still singing
(I'm caught in my legend that makes me a Hero)
I am only a note in her song.