My mother was left in a tiny web
In an occupied shell
Its corner had no space for two
So as I came she had to go
That is how I was left in a little corner of an empty shell
There were no lessons on talking,
No lessons on singing,
No lessons on happiness
No lessons on togetherness
It’s a good thing thinking is innate
I knew I was never to see what lies outside the shell
I knew what bit I could ever get from the sun was its heat
I knew enough not to bother the boss of the shell
To eat I acted like a parasite, stealing while my host slept
I knew this light web left by my mother was my only safe haven
One day, I heard a loud sound
Before I knew what was happening, the sky smiled at me
I closed my eyes for protection from its shiny teeth
Instinctively, I knew I was free to roam
I left the prison, through its broken rear
Then I met you
And you complain of my lack of knowledge.
Is knowledge supposed to be innate too?
There was peace but loneliness
In that empty shell, none lived to breed hatred.
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia (c) 2014.