YEAR OF RETURN

Lives left to languish in loss
…live without luck
…learn with limitations
Sorrows sailed through servitude

Ib
“Soul’s smacked with slavery”
“Bloomed berries replanted in burns”
There’s been many of such analogies
But this is a year of celebration
A year of jubilation
A year we know we can harvest greatness
…from the sadness of yesteryears

II
Whereas skins covereth blood
And hundreds of years have put a loss
…on returning home
We know our own just by looking
And the prejudices that separated us
Surely have been killed with the situation
Come home
Come home to Ghana
…using your blackness as tickets
Come home to Ghana
And feel the warmth of the breasts
…that fed your roots
Come home to Ghana
…and build your roots to par the boots
…which hurts your citizenship
This is the Year of Return

III
Although we might not meet with ready parcels
…and palanquins for your welcoming
Know a step on our ports means freedom
…a walk on our land means justice
…a breath of our air means love
And live your best lives here
…your home

IV
You’ll not be lonely
Because every being is a relative
You’ll not feel strange
Because in most mouths
…sit your greetings
You’ll not feel lost
…because in every finger
…lies your direction
You’ll not feel left out
…because on most faces
…shine your smiles
This is your Year of Return

V
You can come and shed the tears of oppression
But know we have rooms for you here
And our dears will steer your cheers
…and our cheers will show we care
Because love is what we plant
And success is what we hope
…will reroot you here
Your homes

VI
When you come to Ghana
Come with tongues of white sheep
Not with tongues of wounded pride of lions
For most of our ears love bleating
…and not roaring

VIb
When you come to Ghana
Know shit is from the rear holes of humans
And fuck is the conversation of waist landers
…in crude ways
If you precede it with “mother”
…and succeed it with “er”
You’ll commit an utter abomination
Bitches are female dogs
…a human comparison is a slap on the face
…in multitudes

VIc
Don’t get me wrong
We’re strong enough to have all belong
But an obedient child creates a welcome
…that harmonizes hearts
And a fitting-in
…needs a learning
So do well in all
And come and feel at home
Come and be at home
This year-
This Year of Return
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © December 13, 2019