The rising sun draws her breath
A thousand crickets whisper in delight
The day has come for the feasting
The beating of spirit drums and dancing
Midday spreads her wings across the sky
Women preen and prep for the spirits of Mende
The spirits who walk the lands on no feet
Mask black, winks at the sun
Raffia long, sways in the wind
Satire wears the face of woman,
Big flex
Fierce, Samawa
Black, Ndoli Jowei
She sweeps through the streets in spirit finery
Bells, bones, beads her crowning glory
Dare he, a man intrude Sande
Manhood he risks engorged to pay
- Stacey Ravvero
