Marble is dark, silent, and cold. My roots tenuous anchor hold.
Sing the song of the stars with me. Can you not hear our harmony?
Come with me, in the shadows dance. Stardust and bud, a sweet romance.
How shall I venture there alone? I fear the lure of earth and stone.
I cannot fly to you, my dear. Let tenderness assuage your fear.
My brethren, through the portals wind. Our nebulae in lanterns bind.
My sisters, petals open wide. This night am I to be a bride.
Have you ever been on safari? Bought a juicy mango from a street vendor? Searched for the elusive crown of Mt. Meru in the clouds? If you live in Tanzania, chances are you have at least chanted about doing all these things and more while playing childhood games.
Tanzania’s rich and varied cultural tapestry is beautifully painted in Nikki Grimes’ simple poems. Ancient traditions and native foods blend with crowded bus rides and modern adventures in the pages of this book, just as they do in Tanzania itself. Every young reader can experience the cozy hut in rainy season or run from the hungry lion.
The language in this book is simple enough for children to read on their own, but we had so much fun using this as a read-aloud. We enjoyed stumbling over the swahili words introduced by Ms. Grimes, then checking our pronunciation on the glossary page at the end of the book. Perhaps your children would enjoy making up tunes or dances to the catchy rhythms of the poems.
Ballad of the Door, excerpt
“With ancient feuds forgotten, and minds with ballads filled,
Two worlds long torn asunder will find the door again.
Pure of heart and human, a Chosen warrior comes,
The barrier shall be broken, two worlds unite as one.”
Irvu’s Lullaby, excerpt
Born of power, born of flame,
The one has come her throne to claim
The child of light our hearts will tame,
Daughter of earth with heaven’s name.
The Word Worker 