From the Archives: "The Path" by Juanita Tsikata

As they search, my future runs.
What they want, I do not have
but things they need, our own blood.
Why, why, why?!
Never again shall I see the plain,
the wives, the kids, the birds you name.
The land is gone, our doom reforms.
Colour doesn't matter; their shameful blunder.
Our stories so long ago told
by the aging fathers of old.
The sound of the whip,
we never forgive.
We lived righteously in our created glory.
The sins of the whitewashed men
became our paths to nature's pen.
But of the scars we bare,
I gladly lay them down.
The house on water calls for the Ghanaian drum beat.
The Zulus retreat so the battle is lost,
yet there's light for the lost souls,
the ones who made us known,
our paths and the search for hope.

Old poems at OGOV don't die, but live on in our archives! Every once in a while we will dust one off for our newer readers to enjoy. "The Path" was orginally published on OGOV on October 24th, 2009.

Author Profile - Juanita Tsikata

Biography:

Juanita Tsikata is a 16 year-old [ed. note - 18 now, as this bio is two years old] Ghanaian and an upcoming poet who prefers to write at night with a torch in hand. She attends St. Johns Catholic School, Year 12 and is pursuing three courses, Biology, History and English. At the moment, she's thinking of further studies in Creative Writing and writing for friends during their "I can't afford a gift" moments. She writes songs and stories as a hobby to pass time and to express herself. Currently she lives with her father in the UK.

Five Questions with Juanita:

1. How long have you been writing poetry?

I began writing about three years ago to convey my moods, opinions on life, and personal experiences.


2. Who are your favourite poets? Which poets have most informed and inspired your work?

I have no favourites but the majority of what I read is from Efua Sutherland, Kwesi Brew and Ama Ata Aidoo. I enjoy noting how the poets put their messages across in different voices and styles.


3. What do you hope to accomplish with your poetry?

I intend to entertain people with the poems as well as bring awareness to the fact that no matter your age or background whatever you put down can transform lives.


4. You are writing at such a young age. What produced in you this early interest in poetry?

My mother, all credit goes to her. Two lessons I've never forgotten from her are the inspiration to write selflessly and the ideology on how words influence people and places.


5. What does the average student in your school think of poetry, if they think of it at all?

Unfortunately, a greater number see poetry as a mess of pointless lines and have not a care in the world for it. There are a handful with the talent and passion, yet they're in hiding for fear of being branded "maximum brained students".

Contact Juanita:

j_tsikata(at)yahoo.com

Wake Up, I'm Home - Juanita Tsikata

Sore, maba fie.

Firi me so.

Maame, ma fe wo.

Enb3 ha me. 1

Why are you crying?

You ask?

Who angers you?

What a shame!

Is it my brothers, running from you?

No, my dear.

Or my sisters, renouncing what is true?

No, not so.

Mama!

Daughter!

A long way you have come.

Indeed I have.

Fifty-three years is but a letdown.

Certainly I am greying.

Still...

Continue...

I cannot wear my kente anywhere.

My child!

They call it kenta.

Oh my heart!

They say I’m a man.

What? How? Why?

My hair Mama!

Black curls, my love.

A man’s way, they say.

Hush you’re you!

They laugh at my tongue!

You speak of the sun!

They laugh at my ways.

And dance for the moon!

They call me British.

The gods forbid!

Indeed I am.

No, say not!

I am yours by birth.

And by blood, my love.

I am theirs by circumstance.

I warn you. Cease!

I have forgotten you.

Ay, my heart!

I have purified my blood.

You, say no more!

I crave for family.

I’m here for you.

I yearn for together.

In body and in spirit!

I am me by birth.

You said it, too!

And theirs by paper.

Come let me torch it!

Mama.

Daughter!

Hold me close.

Indeed I shall!

Love me like none other.

Hush my child.

For I am yours by birth.

Yes, this I know.

British by circumstance.

A curse bestowed.

I must go now!

Sunset, so soon?

I will visit again!

If not, pain you will gain!

I love you, Mama.

Than you will ever know!

Adieu, my heart.

Daughter, hold steadfast!

I have to head back.

Viny3 loh! 2

I’m yours by birth.

My love, 'tis true.

And theirs by circumstance.

Forever subdued!

1- Wake up, I'm home.
Leave me alone.
Mother, I've missed you.
Leave me be.

2- Oh my child.

Author Profile - Juanita Tsikata

Biography:

Juanita Tsikata was born in Ghana and moved to the UK when she was 14. She discovered a talent for poetry about two years ago and has been writing ever since. Poetry is a second life to her and she's learning to improve as she matures. She hopes to become a journalist someday and hopes that, just maybe, through her poetry the world might become a better place. She writes constantly about how she feels and what she sees. She likes to dream big. It makes room for errors.

Five Questions with Juanita:

1. What inspired you to write this dialogue with your homeland? A particular event or just an accumulation of feelings?

Well, I travelled back home, to Ghana about a month ago and felt a sense of loss because I’d lost my mother a couple of years back thus the trip wasn’t really a joyful arrival. I wrote this poem when I returned as a tribute to two wonderful mothers: my biological mother and Ghana. Yes, it was a bit of both.


2. You chose to explore your feelings towards Ghana in a back-and-forth dialogue. It's an unusual formal choice, and an effective one. What drew you to using this particular structure?

I stumbled upon a poem recently and although I can’t quite recollect the title, it inspired me to compose the poem in that structure. I regret not noting it because through it, I was able to challenge myself and I guess it paid off.


3. Have you performed this poem aloud? If so, did you read it alone or with another person as "Mama"? If not, how do you envision it being performed aloud?

Yes I did, several times actually because every stanza was a possible conversation I could’ve had with my mother and it brought tears to my eyes. I can’t really say how I envision it because whoever decides to recite it might retell it another way and maybe in a different situation also.


4. You mentioned in the past your interest in Efua Sutherland, Kwesi Brew and Ama Ata Aidoo. What kind of access do you have to the works of Ghanaian writers from where you live in the UK?

Surprisingly, there are a few in libraries but there’s a long waiting list for them, so I purchase them online and from Ghana when and if possible. Quite recently, I found a book from a Ghanaian Author in the States; "Wife of the Gods", by Kwei Quartey. It’s a brilliant read.


5. Similarly, how much African writing did you encounter in school in the UK? Any African poetry?

Most of the writing and poetry are from Caribbean writers. The only places I encountered them was in an approved Anthology. Apart from that, I haven’t come across any, which I believe is quite sad because many students will never experience the magnificence of African writing and poetry in general.

Contact Juanita:

j_tsikata(at)yahoo.com

The Path - Juanita Tsikata

As they search, my future runs.
What they want, I do not have
but things they need, our own blood.
Why, why, why?!

Never again shall I see the plain,
the wives, the kids, the birds you name.
The land is gone, our doom reforms.
Colour doesn't matter; their shameful blunder.

Our stories so long ago told
by the aging fathers of old.
The sound of the whip,
we never forgive.
We lived righteously in our created glory.

The sins of the whitewashed men
became our paths to nature's pen.
But of the scars we bare,
I gladly lay them down.

The house on water calls for the Ghanaian drum beat.
The Zulus retreat so the battle is lost,
yet there's light for the lost souls,
the ones who made us known,
our paths and the search for hope.

Author Profile - Juanita Tsikata

Biography:

Juanita Tsikata is a 16 year-old Ghanaian and an upcoming poet who prefers to write at night with a torch in hand. She attends St. Johns Catholic School, Year 12 and is pursuing three courses, Biology, History and English. At the moment, she's thinking of further studies in Creative Writing and writing for friends during their "I can't afford a gift" moments. She writes songs and stories as a hobby to pass time and to express herself. Currently she lives with her father in the UK.

Five Questions with Juanita:

1. How long have you been writing poetry?

I began writing about three years ago to convey my moods, opinions on life, and personal experiences.


2. Who are your favourite poets? Which poets have most informed and inspired your work?

I have no favourites but the majority of what I read is from Efua Sutherland, Kwesi Brew and Ama Ata Aidoo. I enjoy noting how the poets put their messages across in different voices and styles.


3. What do you hope to accomplish with your poetry?

I intend to entertain people with the poems as well as bring awareness to the fact that no matter your age or background whatever you put down can transform lives.


4. You are writing at such a young age. What produced in you this early interest in poetry?

My mother, all credit goes to her. Two lessons I've never forgotten from her are the inspiration to write selflessly and the ideology on how words influence people and places.


5. What does the average student in your school think of poetry, if they think of it at all?

Unfortunately, a greater number see poetry as a mess of pointless lines and have not a care in the world for it. There are a handful with the talent and passion, yet they're in hiding for fear of being branded "maximum brained students".

Contact Juanita:

j_tsikata(at)yahoo.com