Ethiopia!

Cradle of mankind,
Home to people from God.
Unblemished purity,
Apex of natural beauty.
Amazing massive plains,
Afro-Alpine mountains.
Desert heat tension,
Danakil depression.
Wonders of Rift Valley,
True Garden of Eden;
Soph-Umar Cave of Bale,
Set aside safe heaven.
Jegol labyrinth - Harar;
Fairytale castled Gondar,
Rain forest - Illubabor.
There is no end to wonders,
Abay king of all rivers.
Awash, Gibe, Gennale,
Baro, Wabi-Shebelle.
Don't give in to pressure
Safe-guard that treasure.
Jewel in a shrine,
Your surety and mine.
What could one have asked more!
She's a pearl to die for!

Ethiopia!

Gojam Markos harmony,
Land of milk and honey.
Mighty Ghion Abay,
Green meadow, blue sky.
Lake Tana lies in style,
Thundering fall of Blue Nile.
Love of Alpha-Omega,
Jote gold of Wellega.
Coffee comes from Kaffa,
Arba Minch, Gemu Goffa.
Wollo can boast of beauty,
Music, dance, melody.
Lalibela rock-hewn churches,
Wonders of Architecture.
Tigray used to have a fame,
Heroic past good name;
Doubters have no more room;
African Jerusalem,
Sacred city of Axum.
South lies Sidamo,
With Awassa Langano.
Arsi tiny wonder,
Shewa the elder sister.
Don t give in to pressure
Safe-guard that treasure.
Together we are fine,
Your destiny and mine.
What could one have asked more!
She is a land to die for!

Ethiopia!

Let my poems pour,
For the beauty I adore.
Endless diversity,
Incredible variety.
Synchronized in unity.
Mosaic of tapestry,
Wild life history.
In the clear blue sky,
Colourful birds fly.
In open lea far away,
Those cheeky monkeys play.
In trees above lagoon,
Booms Galada Baboon.
Home of unique Semein Fox,
Nyala, Walia Ibex.
Land of a multitude,
People with attitude.
At war fighting machine,
In peace polite nation.
Afar the patriotic,
Oromo the athletic;
Anuak-Nuere Nilotic,
Wolloye the romantic.
Colourful vest Adare,
Temperamental Tigre.
Kullo-Konta, Gimira.
Gentle farmer Amhara.
Coffee picking Kafficho,
Qotcho pealing Shekacho.
Dorze Haizo weaver,
Wallayta rain dancer;
Kambata hard worker,
Gurage skilled trader..
Hamar, Sidama Hadya,
B-e-a-u-t-i-ful Ethiopia!!!!!!!
Her safety has no measure,
Priceless treasure.
She's only one and all,
Give in to no pressure;
With your life and soul,
Protect that treasure,
Rally around let her shine,
She's your star and mine.
Any way,
What could one have asked more!
She's the BEST to die for.

Wondimu Mekonnen
August 1997