A tribute to the “Little Foot” fossil at Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa
Your footprints in the rock
Supplied a vital clue
A key that might unlock
The mystery of you
They take us on a journey
Back four million years
A branching of the life-tree
When ape-man first appears
Aeons passed in slumber
Left undisturbed by time
Until Man’s blast of thunder
Exposed the hollow lime
Even then you stayed hid
In caves of Sterkfontein
The world’s first hominid
A secret yet remained
Until the revelation
By digger Robert Clarke
Brought you commendation
And freedom from the dark
Upon an outstretched arm
Your weary head still rested
And your shortened palm
Sparked theories now contested
Your waking in the valley
Takes science to the brink
Could you really be
The fated missing link?
Of you books will be written
Your sleep has turned to fame
Your progeny are smitten
And echo your proud name
Little Foot you have trod
Our path of history
Forever after we are shod
With your humanity
Wayne Visser © 2017
Book
I Am An African: Favourite Africa Poems
This creative collection, now in its 5th edition, brings together Africa poems by Wayne Visser, including the ever popular “I Am An African”, as well as old favourites like “Women of Africa”, “I Know A Place in Africa”, “Prayer for Africa” and “African Dream”. The anthology celebrates the luminous continent and its rainbow people. The updated 5th Edition includes new poems like “Africa Untamed” and “Land of the Sun”. Buy the paper book / Buy the e-book.
