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“One

We are pulled
to each other
like paper clips
into the embrace
of magnetized iron
like a lightning rod
hailing the finger
of thunder,
and we can't
say why.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Black Girl

Your
skin
is dark
chocolate
dipped
in honey.
You are
a delicious
shade
of melanin.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“*Africans, Embrace One Another*
--------------------------

My fellow African,
when you look at another African,
what do you see?
Do you not see the reflection of yourself?
Do you not see someone who was once a victim of the dark past?
Someone who has now emerged as a survivor at last;
just as your forefathers did before the shadows enslaved your kins!
Do you not see the same colour of your skin?
Do you not see the same texture of your hair?
Yes, you see yourself, it's clear.
Now, since you're looking at your reflection,
don't you wish to cover yourself with affection?

Beloved Africans,
you were once the victims of confusion in the past.
But you shouldn't remain in that disillusioned class.
Today you're free and enriched with resources to maintain yourselves.
Let the victim mentality go as a start.
Like the three wise men, embrace your survivor status.
Be wise and be resourceful.

Africans,
you have the permission to celebrate your roots,
your heritage, and the teachings of your books.
Go on and heal your bodies with your traditional herbs.
And teach your children the secrets of your ancestors.
Tell your children that your ancestors were self-sufficient.
Efficient, your ancestors lived well
� with little to nothing.
Yet, they were the happiest.
The merriest.
Embrace the secrets of your traditions,
just like the seas.
You're safe and free.”
― Mitta Xinindlu

“Nobody is better than anybody in terms of anything. Just because you travel to the UK, the USA, or Europe - doesn't mean you make it in life, or you're better than everyone else. We all share humanity and solidarity in common. Whether you're jobless or working, blind or deaf, rich or poor, Gambian or non-Gambian, a Muslim or a Christian, a president or a mere citizen, we're all equal. We're equal in equality. Equality in humanity is the equation of intelligence and righteousness. Man should be down to earth and humble. Being humble and kindhearted is part of greatness in humanity.'' -”
― Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

“Every woman deserves to have a man who is proudly willing to say to the whole world, "Yeah she's my one and only." I love your satan, angels and demons. If loving you is Haram, I want to be a sinner.”
― Modou Lamin AGE-ALMUSAF Sowe, The Throne of the Ghost

“What is Raven from my perspective? I believe it is the collective consciousness of the suffering masses melding into one voice. I believe it is conscience personified. Perhaps, a messenger with a message. Or even, the depths of my consciousness rising to the surface. Whatever it is, “Ravenâ€� started me on a quest. And I have been on this journey for quite some time.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Most times the poetic in life is found in many things around us. You would find it in the deft play of a football player on a soccer pitch. An orange sky with the descending sun at twilight. The laughter of a toddler playing with dirt. Or the feel of the wind caressing your face. Poetry most times is found in the profound.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“For me poetry is not the exclusive domain of academia. Stuff to be studied and dissected in college classrooms like a lab rat to find out what makes it thick. It is a form of human expression. The transference of human emotion from one person to another whether it is written or performed.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Each time a child goes up as an incendiary, something within me rips open. Until a day of reckoning comes I don’t think I will ever get over the self-immolation of each of those children. And my words are inadequate to show the depth of my grief or my anger. Nothing can. Only my deliberations with silence.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Portrait

True
beauty is hidden
in the fringes
of softness.
Something
which summons you
to experience
but not
to possess.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Kiss

Twin lips,
surrounded by
white light.
The breath
from my mouth
make you quiver
like a jellyfish,
marooned
on the water shore.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Kiss Too

Your lips

are

liquid wax.

You kiss me,

I burn.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Bright

Dazzle their eyes
with your
florescent smile,
pitch tent
with the waking
sunset.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Watermaid

You walk
like a river
and I see you,
gliding over the tide,
each evening,
your feet
barely making prints
in the sands.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Swimmer

You are
a water nymph
from the ocean
rising.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“What are we?

We are
a combination
of sand
and gunpowder,
cosmic energy
and sawdust.
We are
black holes
and novae,
children’s laughter,
and tears of time.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“Moment

In my arms
you are
a trembling
leaf
licked
by the
erotic tongue
of the wind.”
― Valentine Okolo, I Will Be Silent

“When you're the only light in the dark, please shine. Remember, there will be no value to your inferior incandescence at sunrise”
― Fidelis O. Mkparu

“nothing reminds me of you
you are all i think about.
you infest my mind
like a swarm of bees
buzzing too loudly,
i can’t think clearly.”
― Elizabeth Awori, These Things

“At such times he would think, 'What will I do if she does not love me as much as I love her?' A terrible reply came from his heart, 'Kill her.”
― Bessie Head, Maru

“My imagination just defeated my sight
I race in my heart
Laughter got me laughing
Smile broke my broken teeth into pieces
Peace married my emotions
Happiness invaded my anger
Misery missed my footsteps
Worrying waved my mind with joy
Mixed with strawberry of hope in a fruit-salad
Je suis malade
Je suis parles Français
Aujour'hui je suis très heureux
When the truth is told, lies end with shame

Copyright © Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe, 23rd May 2022.”
― Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe,

“The reason why we could not still overcome the global financial crisis â€� is not because there is not much money in the worldâ€� or there are not enough papers to print enough money to feed every countryâ€� but is it the belief of power and position as merchants of superiority.”
― Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

“Poverty has been understood as a man-made illness that has a cure â€� money. Poverty is not poor–but poor people are poor. The language of humanity is human.”
― Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

“Let’s say that the best way to borrow money from God is not to borrow money from Satan.”
― Modou Lamin Age-Almusaf Sowe

“Never forget your home as you sojourn in foreign lands my son. We’ve waited for your return to our beautiful land where winds still whistle your name and wooden gongs pronounce you a worthy son of your ancestors daily. That soulful journey to our mystical river to cleanse your naked feet is in the journal of your life written by your forebears. As it’s written, the full moon will guide you through the narrow path to your destination. You'll arrive at a special place where your ancestors will witness your transformation into a Shaman, a spiritual healer you’re destined to become.

On the appointed day, as your name travels throughout our land, choice palm wines will find worthy palates to celebrate your soulful return. As your ancestors had written in the book of promises about your return before the last moon of the year, African sun will massage your skin during the day and harmattan wind will fan you to sleep at night. Hurry back home my son.”
― Fidelis O. Mkparu, Soulful Return

“Africans are among the best story-tellers in the world. African writers are farmers who grow stories.”
― Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu

“I sit by the embers of our dead love, still burning for you.”
― Elizabeth Awori, These Things

“I was sane till love conspired with my mind, now all I think about is you.”
― Elizabeth Awori, These Things

“I remember how your eyes tore through me like a knife, how I fell apart each time you smiled at me, how I crumbled when you touched me.”
― Elizabeth Awori, These Things

“Your love is the blanket to my shivering fears and insecurities.”
― Elizabeth Awori, These Things