DK Osei Yaw and Franka-Maria Andoh
The Elmina Castle loomed behind him on its craggy perch overlooking the sea. A cluster of leafless coconut trees and the new pink roof clashed. The village sprawled out behind the castle. Shiny ‘zingli’, locally made roofing sheets, glinted in the sun like silver teeth. The castle itself was derelict and damp and needed to be painted again. At least that was Big Sam’s comment when they went to the castle on a school trip. The 200th anniversary of stopping the slave trade was being celebrated. A very important man was visiting their school from England. Kwame remembered that day like it was yesterday.
The Trip of Completion
I am here
Your Mother
Africa
Waiting for you
By the sea
What language
Will you speak
To me
Say “eti sen”
I will say “3y3”
“Tete”
I will respond “ahiemi”
Call out “Efoaa”
“Ayy” will be my reply
And even if
We cannot speak
You will find me
Waiting for you
By the river
Where I last saw you
And you will know me
Because the blood
That flows in me
Flows in you too
And as we clasp
Each other
One another
We will open our arms
Wide
To embrace our brothers
and Sisters
Of the world
In love and mercy
We will smile with
Tears in our eyes
And the repentance
The Forgiveness
Will ease the Pain
Will ease the pain
Ease the pain
The Pain
Pain
Will be no more
