African Voices Summer 2017 AV Summer 2017 Digital Issue | Page 16
YEYE’S Garden
Men in black suits
pull-up in In black cars
yeye’s garden sprouts anti-monsanto sentiments
these men are convinced that yeye
is a threat to our national health
Mrs. Julia Henry
also known as Yeye Lumumba
is practicing medicinal healing with food
she has no license
no true plant knowledge only someone
She has no medical degree
as unstable in their thoughts as this old woman
would believe
that food should replace pills
the men say yeye has committed crimes against monsanto
anyone found to be consorting with her will also earn a spot on the government watch list
her crimes will not go unpunished
she is a modern day witch — a heretic
she has conjured in the vicinity of a city block an insatiable appetite
for organic fruits and vegetables
she has cast a spell on your children from her cauldron of lies
she has forged their taste buds against corner store juice
and what has she given them in return
black butterflies
kuka
kale
pomegranate
cassava
guava
mango
Ivy gourd
green juices sweetened with agave
I bet you never heard of agave before Mrs. Henry and her sorcery thrust it down your throats
she has made everyone among you
you good christian shoppers
fall victim to her paganistic hijinks
think about how care-free life was for YOU
before she told you to avoid the foods sanctioned by your government
Mrs. Henry has fed you the monsanto conspiracy
when in actuality
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african Voices