| Dream Home By Mike Odetalla A dream used to come to me of building a home for my family nothing special you see four walls and a roof were enough for me worked long and hard and saved for the home that we craved a tent had been our home for years for refugees life is full of hardship and tears the day we finished our house a rare moment of happiness for me and my spouse nothing special you see four walls and a roof were enough for me Then the soldiers came at night filled my children with dread and fright we were ordered to step outside we had no choice, but to abide in the rubble we were left to cry and scream for the bulldozers had destroyed our dream a tent is our home now and for years As refugees life is full of hardship and tears A dream still comes to me to build a home for my family nothing special you see four walls and a roof are enough for me... Mike Odetalla 2001 |
| Why does the Caged Bird sing? By Mike Odetalla Why does the caged bird sing? Is his song that one of joy or is it of loneliness? Is he singing the praises of his jailer or is he cursing him? Is he singing to entertain his captor Or is it a plea for freedom? Does he sing for the love of his cage Or is it because of his hatred for it? Oh why does a caged bird sing? Mike Odetalla 1999 |
| Mint Tea By Mike Odetalla A Cup of Mint tea Holds a special meaning for me The fragrant flavor and smell Triggers memories that I remember rather well Of mothers beautiful garden in Palestine Filled with beauty and sites, truly divine The flowers, herbs, and vegetables... a sight so great From which I was torn away at the age of eight The plants of mint were special in many ways For they added an aroma that flavored our lives in countless ways The mint in my garden today Originated from a sprig in my mothers purse as a stowaway So that each time I sip a cup of mint tea The memory and flavor of my homeland is here with me… A sip from a cup of mint tea Is a sip of Palestine for me… Mike Odetalla 12-2001 |
| Power By Mike Odetalla Power is to affect the lives of those who have not Power is to shape the opinions of those who have none Power is to acquire the things that others cannot Power without MERCY is like Sea water to the thirsty... Mike Odetalla 1999 |
| Peace in the Holyland By Mike Odetalla Give me Justice and judge me by a jury my peers who've experienced oppression, loss, and fears Is it my lot in life to wallow in misery and sorrow all that is offered are promises that are hollow My people seek only justice no less no more and for that you unleash on us the dogs of war Cast away the rhetoric and leaders of old their visions offer nothing to us and cannot sold Freedom, justice, and happiness in our life will surely put a final ending to this strife Oh people of peace help us make a final stand we don't want your pity, just a helping hand May peace reign forever in the Holy Land because this is after all what God intended in his command... Mike Odetalla 2000 |
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