Dafa Rafet
by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
Yaay, Baay, and Goonay, Someplace in the Gambia, c. 1756
When the mother and child
walk from the village
to gather fruit, faces
recite quotidian love.
Do you have peace
(Waw, waw, diam rek)
Then, they are alone, and the toddler
points out the fat-bottomed
baobab, the mango
with its frustrating reach.
Mother pierces a low-hanging
jewel, and her small
shadow trills gratitude.
Yaay, you are so nice
(Waw, waw)
Yaay, I love you so
(Waw, waw)
No demonstration, but a hand
touching the tender head
that was braided over cries.
Later that night,
the father must listen, too.
Baay, I ate a mango
(Waw, waw)
Baay, I saw a bug
(Waw, waw)
The child sits closer
to his mat,
whispers ambiguous lights:
I know all the things—
and he does not answer,
but smiles at his wife:
their daughter is a marvel
and they must pray for humility.
from The Age of Phillis, Wesleyan, ©2020
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