Eight B’day – A New Era

© Musue N. Haddad


Here’s to a strong African child
Whose birthday is on the eight
First opened eyes to the world
In the land of stranger, no bloodline
Then traveled to Africa, the dark land
Where his heart truly belongs
The supposed “dark” continent of Africa
Filled with scenery mountains, hills, valleys
Creeks, rivers streams, all surging
The beautiful virgin land, grand sunshine
Swaying trees, naturally grown food
Unprocessed, non-artificial cooked food
Yes, the place of this child’s true lineage
The place his soul, heart aligns
Face dances to the sound of the birds
And radiantly glow with bliss
Come see his steps brisk, so divine
Glimmering reflection of night sky
Grand harmony of sunrise, sunset


Here is the eight birthday gong
To celebrate your birthday, my son
I could shout a world of wishes
But I’ll tell you about the powerful “eight”
The superabundant number of old
Sacred ‘Eight days of the greatest Feast’
Like the great African festivities
And the Eightfold Path of self-awakening
Or the Eight Beatitude of blissfulness
The ‘Eight messengers at the Holy Throne’
Yes, it's your era of growth, expansion
Bright new beginning, fresh new era
So, receive this as a gift from above
Shun boundaries from the past.
And holdfast to values that last
Values of your great African ancestors
Seek the almighty to make wise decisions,
And to strengthen this life of yours.


Happy eight birthday my dear
It’s a momentous eight, my child
I feel your beats in harmony with this place
So shake, dance to the drum beats
You’re in your great ancestors’ birthplace
Your’re a lineage of the Great Prince
Known also as Archistrategos
So on your birthday, and beyond
With grace, take the armor of rekindling
That’s filled with blissful wonderment
Remember today, always my son
The Almighty is guiding you my son
He’ll send blessings for tears, trials
Fill your heart with joy, and grace
Send you love on wings of dove
He’ll answer all of your prayers
On the Dark Continent and beyond
For today, tomorrow, and always


Copyright © Musue N. Haddad

My Place of Birth

© Musue N. Haddad


My Place of Birth
A beautiful, green grassland
Plum trees, guava trees, many trees
A fertile land for animals, all trees
Fresh, beautiful land, lush topsoil
Luscious vegetables from soil
Dark, naturally rich, fertile soil
Bare feet against the grass
Soil soft between my toes
Sunlight slowly beat from above
Danced through the green leaves
Twinkling of sunray in my hair
Yes, I was fond of this place

My place of birth
Yea, the land of my birth
The land, beautiful and free
Butterflies, birds, the sky, all airy
Fly above cheery and free
The smell of the fresh air
Flying through my hairs
Gently against my innocent face
I giggled, raced with the wind
The rivers, creeks, flowed freely
Fresh running water against my skin
Sparkling bubbles, drops on my face

My place of birth
Yea, the land of my birth
Beautiful, rich, embracing
But as the years went by
The rich soil, the trees, fresh air
Sounds of flowing rivers were gone away
Green trees, beautiful sky, now gray
Trails of my childhood gone away
Sounds of birds, gone astray
The color, the air, the soil wailful
The grass, soil, rivers scorched
Sounds of motors, machines crackle
Give headache, makes me hazy
Cloudy, midst the once fresh air
Taken over the land of my birth

Copyright © Musue N. Haddad