freetown

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you know her by her diamonds
and i know her by her mountains
protected by lions
embarked on by okadas

i know the aunties peeling leaves
whilst their children climb trees
hunting for an orange
that they can sell to me

i love to cling to my seat
as we manoeuvre through the street
tapping my feet
to the blazing afrobeats

until the blazing sun
makes me jump off and run
to the girl shouting at anyone
who wants a packet of water

and i know the beach
where the ocean is in my reach
where i can see the beauty of my history
reflecting back at me

you cannot mine the real diamonds of sweet salone
the diamonds exist within my soul
the souls of her people
who kneel down on eid and feast on christmas with their family
who understand madingo but carry the blood of temne
who speak perfect krio despite being lebanese

the people who smile even when they grieve
what once was or what she could have been
what still can if we choose to see
we have suffered enough
let us rise from our knees

the diamonds shine bright through our teeth
the smile of the people who deserve to be free

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