Timbuktu
by cricketjeff on December 1, 2009. © Jeff Green, All rights reserved
When Timbuktu was fine and great
The centre of a mighty state
True scholars came across the sea
To join Its University
But now it’s just a dusty town
Dressed in its mediaeval frown
A famous name but nothing more
For now the state is sad and poor
They’ve hatched a plan to resurrect
Their international respect
A centre where the World can see
The treasures from their history
Will tourists tread that dusty road
Where ancient wisdom freely flowed
And will the Timbuktuans know
The wealth they gathered long ago
Author notes
I read a news article about plans to make the literary treasures of the famous
Malian city available to the public.
English