[...] limbo
limbo like me
long dark deck and the water surrounding me
long dark deck and the silence is over me
limbo
limbo like me
stick is the whip
and the dark deck is slavery [..]

[...] Spices and gold once cast a spell
On bearded men in caravels.
New World New World cried history
Old World Old World sighed every tree.
But Indian tribes long long ago
Had sailed this archipelago.
They who were used to flutes of bone
Translated talk of wind on stone. [...]

[...] I who am poisoned with the blood of both,
Where shall I turn, divided to the vein?
I who have cursed
The drunken officer of British rule, how choose
Between this Africa and the English tongue I love?
Betray them both, or give back what they give?
How can I face such slaughter and be cool?
How can I turn from Africa and live? [...]