African Queen by Tophre D'Africa

African Queen

I was an Egyptian Pharaoh, I was Queen of the Nile

I froze a Nubian soldier, with a wink and smile
An Ashanti maiden with love in my thighsI was a Yoruba priestess predicting folks lives
I was empress of Mali
I was princess of Kenya
I ran wild with gazelles and planted date palmsA Tuareg warrior and Songhai sing’a
I look like Queen Nefertiti and ancient Benin bronze
I traveled from village to village and from town to townI was a beautiful Masai herdsman nearly eight feet tall
Or a Baaka sprit with filed pointed teeth and small
I lived off the land and slept in the dirtSharing our oral traditions while still wearing my crown
I was both god and goddess, oh no, I’m not modest
Played bongo in the Congo with a Watusi skirt
So I could trade my wares in Addis AbabaI helped the river Niger rise with the moon
I was a traveling mid-wife all through Cameroon
I led caravans across the vast Sahara
I could talk to the animals and swing thru the trees
I held a special place with my peoples, not below, butStare a Mandingo warrior right down to his knees
I grew rice and yams and incense and greens
I grew maize and peanuts and sugar and beans
I was welcomed, honored, revered and loved
above
I was bought for a bride-price, for marriage, for lifeI was resident veterinarian helping our livestock give
birth
I was the continent’s gardener; I took care of the earth
I designed facial etchings for the royal of my tribe
And crafted strong spears for my king, by his side
In Eden with Eve and Adam, both woman and manThough I bore him no children, I was number one wife
I was shaman, sooth-sayer, witch-doctor and healer
The chief’s royal advisor, major player, a dealer
I’m Lucy from the rift valley, where humans began
I taught all cultures the value of diamonds and gold
I was me, I was you!Oh yes, that was me, giving shade, being bold
And yes I was in the middle passage too
That’s why you look like me and I look like you
I was brown, I was tan, I was purple, I was blue
I was a transgender woman in ancient Africa

I was me, I was you!