Free Your Hair Amaka
Chelsea Nahai Awang
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Free Your Hair Amaka

Chelsea Nahai Awang
@chelseaawang911330

2 months ago

Free Your Hair Amaka
By Chelsea Nahai Awang

She debated modern slavery with me
with her defeated hair dangling by her ears
To untangle Africa's chains- I say,
'Nne, you must let you hair be tangled'

Who lied to Amaka? whose hot iron comb
burned her ear in stretching her hair?
Africa carries trauma
On the smokey scalps of her maidens
What once was worn as a crown
Braided, woven like warp, twisted like weft
Into poetry on the head of a black girl,
is defeated by a medieval torture device,
is now fallen from grace.
Tell me Amaka, do you not see
your limp, straight hair does not suit your face?
How many more times must you brush
Before you wash away your coily mane?

Nne, I will not judge you from afar
You are as much a victim as me
Of this modern slavery
Sit between my thighs
And as you sing me songs of scissors', oils and clippers
I will spin your hair into plaited gold

#Poetry
#AfricaUnchained
#UntangleAfrica
#PlayMyPart



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2 months ago

Amarachi  Anastasia  Okoro Sofiyat Hassan Bethel-Gold  Lambe-Rohi

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Becky Oludayo Peleowo @beckyoludayoadenuga426965
Wow! I find this quite different, unique. It's a different point of view. Amaka's hair is symbolic' a kind of metonymy that stands for everything that is in the way of promoting our cultures and beliefs. Good job!
2 months ago

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Chelsea Nahai Awang @chelseaawang911330
I LOVE that you got that!
2 months ago
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Amarachi Anastasia Okoro @amarachiokoro
I love your poem. It's unique and interesting. Please read my own and comments.
2 months ago

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Chelsea Nahai Awang @chelseaawang911330
definitely. Thanks
2 months ago