The dugout canoes were overloaded as they were paddled up the Niger River by the two guides. The freeboard of the canoes was minimal. They weren’t meant to hold three Americans. I was the heaviest and rode with one guide while two of my daughters rode wit...
"Woman want baby. Woman want JuJu.” “What?” “JuJu. It’s magic. African magic, white or black.” “I don’t want black magic, Tutu.” Tutu smiled. “Here,” she said. “Have this.” Tutu gave me a tiny carved figurine; she explained how the women of Ghana use ones...
A father toiling beneath a sky of gruesome darkness Merciless sun on his back, a storm in his heart. A mother burying her child with dignified acquiescence, Body too beat-down to spare more than a single tear. A child marching with a village song in his...
The fat evangelist stuttered when he talked, but he sang when he preached-ah. He sang-ah the sin-ah out of the sinners heart-ah. He sang wallets out of purses and back pockets. He sang deep emotions out of my soul and tears out of my eyes. I loved to hear...
