The Soul of Zanzibar

A 20,000 year old home to humans

The Persians, Arabs and Indians

Ah 'karibu' to Zanzibar

The Africa you've only heard of from afar

The Arabs of Oman the locals liked

Imperial Europeans the brave-hearts despised

A history of slave trade surmised

Pride in Masa'ai culture has since survived

Here flourishes the sacred Jozani forest

Where green mambas, antelopes and red monkeys rest

'Hakuna matata' sings our guide

He regales us with tales of mangroves as we ride

On a boat over choppy waters to Prison Island

Sold to a British Lord by an Omani Sultan

Never as a prison, but used as a quarantine

The turquoise sea views from here are mighty pristine

Adorning Stone Town are carved Indian doors

Coral walls, Arabesque interiors - all treasure troves

The markets aromatic with peppers and cloves

Just where once were auctioned slaves in droves

Birthplace of Freddie, Queen's front man

Strange few locals know of his jam

Africa, the keeper of Dr. Livingstone's heart

It was here, in abolishing slavery, he played his part

The diamond studded Zanzibari sky

Its display of stars so stunning

Like a live planetarium screening

A constellation ceiling, seeing is believing

A twilight walk by the crystal beach

Hopping over sand crabs the color of peach

Hunting seashells, exquisite with sheen

Here, it's the busiest you've ever been

Feast on nourishing crustaceans

That boast flavors of the oceans

Relish the fresh tropical fruits and juice

Savor the moment, there's nothing to lose

Peace-loving people, they have no qualms

They fight with words, no weapons, no arms

These innocent local folk smile from teeth to teeth

Betraying the daily struggles they face beneath

'You're welcome' in Swahili they say

Before we can even thank them with a simple 'asante'

This is my ode to Zanzibar

The Africa you now know from reading my ode thus far

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