Sankofa-gctid28786

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

First Place College Poetry Winner
 

"Sankofa"

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 (Akan-Twi: 'return-go-take')"
 
 Kwasi Konadu
 
 Re-member we when I was not
 re-member roots when trunk, branches,
 leaves fruit and flower were not
 re-member common sense when
 sight, smell taste, touch, and hearing were not
 re-member that we have two ears and eyes
 but they do not hear and see in twos
 re-member that speech effects and
 affects the speaker
 re-member when folks drum to the spirit of
 life and not life without spirit
 re-member that fools speak, the wise listen
 when the wise speak, everyone listens
 re-member that the eyes can only see what
 the mind trains it to believe
 re-member that that is simply is!
 re-member time as boundless, sacred reality
 since not even time can time itself
 re-member that the sky is black
 and oceans have bottoms
 re-member that it is paramount to
 re-member what cannot be forgotten
 re-member if we misuse our seeds
 our potential fruit becomes rotten
 yet, the blossom shall shine
 in our children's forehead
 and in their children's children
 re-member what should never be forgotten
 re-member each breath
 re-member the power in finding
 your place in reality
 your mission and purpose in life
 REMEMBER...S