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I first loved her in the blissful ignorance of my youth
as I wondered lost through virgin woods
in the midst of tall whispering trees
her voice carried by their hushed gossiping; the rustling leaves
then I knew her not but still I loved her
my beautiful one, my mother
I loved her still in the passion of adulthood
when she I lost to coerced marriage
when with much sweat I toiled the fertile earth
her sorrowful face I cupped i my callous hands
then I knew her no but still I loved her
my beautiful one, my lover
though her purity the foul one desecrated
though her fertility the lifeless one ploughed
though her prosperity the thief stole
still I loved her all my life
and waited patiently for her liberation
I loved her truly in the day of my rebirth
when the invader's whip cracked but I would dance no more
when lead and powder shared my flesh but I would die no more
her voice was the black hammer on my shackles
I knew her then and loved her most
my beautiful one, my nation
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