Et Maintenant, Le Lingala

oui,
my wife would visit
Africa

with sewing machines
and friendships
in the jungle

there is a history
of connections
and disconnections

one must take care
study, prepare
for a few words there

in Lingala,
mbote! and ndenge nini?
are hi and how are you

i found more Lingala
though noted in French
so much thirst, so little quench

i do not know
how it will go
but i can only hope

that cars and planes
and river lanes
will run, and not need rope

and lights will light
and no one fight
or in the darkness grope

that flies won't bite
or caterpillars squirm
in food, and may she cope

with smiles and nods
and looks inquiring
and find it in the end inspiring

while i each day
when she is away
will mumble Lingala, or French, or just pray.