TALES BY MOONLIGHT

the village square is our playing ground at night 

we gather always to listen to tales

our future solely depends on those stories 

for they shape our thoughts and keep us intact 

then the elder emerges 

smiling from a distance as some of us runs to accompany him

singing and gracefully dancing as he approaches

we join in songs and twist our bodies to the rhythm

in ecstacy we call the song to an hault

exchanging pleasantries as it is of custom 

he clear his throat and ask previously on lessons learnt in the last story

we all struggle to be called as we raise our hands 

then he carefully introduces his new story

infusing songs, gesticulations, dialogues and countenances 

melodious distinct voice patterns for different characters

oh! Africa, how I love these precious gift

finally he makes the curtain call

mighty lessons we have learnt

and we sing our anthems and leave for our various huts

tales by moonlight is our pride

@talk2leigh

12th Feb 2021

7:50am