yonder in that beautiful clime, when
   the smiling coast, our home, is in chains:
   the fetters of powerlessness
   and the shackles of hopelessness.

   For two decades, and more
   a vehicle of expression
   for a new sovereign reality
   gives hope to a future that is hopeless
   and a voice to a present imbued in silence.

   And this is the time
   when in the womb of hope
   a hopeful future is born
   and the future has a voice.

   Unlike the land of the free
   where the plant of democracy sprouted
   its tender tendrils spread
   in the sinews and bones of every citizen;
   in the smiling coast, our home
   the effort deliberate and conscious
   to sow the seeds of a mature democracy
   labors to take firm roots.

   The ground of democracy is still unfertile
   harden by years and years of drought
   the ill-nourish seeds in its barren soil
   yearns to break free.

   And the voices of hope and of the future
   gushing like torrents of streaming water
   seeps deeply into the ground to make it fertile.

    The voices of hope and of the future
    their tempo more distant and remote
    having grown tired and weary
    now regain their energy and vitality;

    And this is the time
    yonder in that beautiful clime
    the marches and protestations incline
    the banners and placards inscribe
    that a new day indeed is ascribe
    the winds of change will begin to blow.

By Rene Badjan