To the African Doorman of Oslo Plaza Hotel

Frizzled, tar-black hair,
Ebony skin,
Pearly teeth so white!
Your face, hey! Man —
Does belong to which land,
And where is your reverent soil?

Your grave will eventually rest
Beneath the peat moss, gravel or granite.
Will the daffodils sing their farewell song
For your forgotten roots?
Or, cry without tears,
With death by your side.

1997
Norway

Geeta Chhabra