Broken Wings
Three poems about facing the challenges, finding a safe place to belong, and the struggles of being an African — by Ghanaian Bright Aboagye
Broken Wings
I was high
Drugged by my realities.
And deceived by their illusions.
If men were meant to fly,
they would have been created with wings.
Look, they broke my knees
but daddy took a stick and broke my wings.
He told me they broke my knees
because I had grown wings.
My wings were black,
They told me,
“only angels are allowed to fly.”
So now I break my wings
as they healed –
and it is becoming,
Unbecoming I forget.
Safe Place
I long for a safe place
where I boast without shame
where I falter without judgement.
A place for me
where I smile and love
where self-loathing does not
exist ever.
Where I live, really
and life has meaning.
an alternate meaning.
An alternate reality
free of dangers,
where I does not accompany
less than, never enough too much.
Where to be is to be loved
and my being is exactly what it is
required, demanded, desired.
Where I shine.
The Life of Your Flesh
Child. You were born today —
Cladded calm and green
–fed with a meal of truth –
Exposed to the beam of light –
And your body washed off of stain.
What wrecked your sinlessness?
Who taught you felony
Of thievery or slaughter —
Or infiltrate your love with an ill feeding?
How did wrong become right?
Or right become wrong?
And your voice base in anger?
Who taught you in anger?
Who taught you who your foe was —
Or who to treat with dignity?
Impression
The taste of
Sweet Plantain
Chemically cleaned water
Bitter balls of corn
Spicy Beans
The smell of
Car exhaust
Fresh fruit
Rotting pee
Fried fish
The feel of
Hot, Humid air
Rays of Sunlight
Mosquito Bites
Sweaty Palms
The sound of
Honking cars
Clucking chickens
Trotro¹ mates
Ete sȝn?²
The sight of
Red Dirt
Green trees
Baskets on women’s head
Potholes
The senses of
Ghana
Both good and bad
Have made my experience
Unforgettable
- Trotro: A car used as public transport in Ghana. It is a privately owned minibus that travel fixed routes leaving when filled to capacity. There is a conductor called mate that takes the fares.
2. Ete sȝn: A common greeting in the Twi language. It means ‘how are you?’, ‘how are you doing?’ and ‘how are things so far?’
Bright Aboagye is a Ghanaian who dreams of becoming a surrealist blues poet, writer and — with a passion for cooking — aspires to open a restaurant. As first generation applicant, he delves into the narratives of minorities, particularly exploring class, orphans, ecofeminism and all forms within African society. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Ghana and a Master’s degree in Literature in English from the University of Cape Coast. He is simultaneously working on a novel and a chapbook. He is a Taylor Swift fan. You can follow him on Twitter @NKAsante2 on Instagram @nk_asante. Find more his work on his blog and personal website.
