an African legend in lyrical implementing
There once was a bard called Tarafe.
He sang for King Samba and Queen Tu-Bare -
the most famous couple of Wagadu Gana,
a kingdom full of legends, myths and mana.
Tarafe in truth lived for that all and it's sake.
Well known is his hymn about Isa Bere, the drake.
A terrible creature drinking dry with greed
the holy river of Jolliba which actually should feed
humans and beasts of the whole empire.
The water's loss was more than dire.
Plants started to wither and forests did fade.
Everyone suffered from Isa Beres shade.
Live-giving water desperately was sought
and Tarafe's homeland was threatened by drought.
To defeat the dragon and prevent the worst -
the kingdoms beings starving from hunger and thirst -
Tarafe and Samba traveled to Fouta Djalon,
a mountain chain where Isa hid among.
Eight years they fought and eight hundred spears broke
without the drake's scales getting cracked by one stroke.
But suddenly a sword appeared like a grail
and achieved what every spear did fail.
The arcane blade hit the dragon's heart.
The kingdom was saved by its king and his bard.
Where the sword came from a secret remains.
But some people talk of fateful lanes
as Tarafe had a magical quill gifted by
a goddess who watched king and bard from the sky.
Her feather guided the heroes to
a secret realm which granted a view
to astral arms and ancestral sources,
to secret wisdom and ulterior forces.
There King Samba was taught how to break
the spell protecting the heart of the drake.
But in exchange for the knowledge granted
the royal lord himself was enchanted.
All his commissions he had to retreat
If he wished for the dragons eternal defeat.
Instead of returning to his kingdom and wife
He'd reign Fouta Djalon for the rest of his life.
King Samba agreed being the mountain's guard.
Isa Bere perished in reward.
And while his king stayed on Mount Fouta Djalon
Tarafe returned in his name to the queen with a song
Telling the story of fate and sword,
of a loyal bard and his bravely lord,
of a king taking place on a mountains throne,
and a god-blessed feather getting a bard's heir and loan...
Today Fouta Djalon is called Castle of Water.
Some say, it belongs to Queen Tu-Bare's daughter.
Others say, King Samba still guides his land.
The fact is: Tarafe's legend did never end.
His legacy always will be tended
And in order to that is descended
to every young poet who writes and sings
for West Africas mighty queens and kings.
