Friday, 3 July 2015

Stolen From Freedom Street by Robert Nabena

Fierce attacks on Mama Nneka's hut,
Swift, painful and brutal blows dealt
Trapped in a net,
A metal sling around my wrist,
I heard Mama Nneka scream
At the end of freedom street

Stolen, bought or sold against my will
A lonely traveler
On a lonely journey
Beyond the Atlantic
Tortured, stripped and chained
Amanze never knew much pain

Caged like rats,
I lay still on racks
Dirty racks befitting my price
Covered in kernel oil
We bay in Queens country
Awaiting my day of auction

Ape that I am
The rest of my life
Decided by a stranger
I am a slave
A lonely traveler.

Robert Nabena

Robert Nabena is a Nigerian author and
contributing writer for various journals, magazines
and newsletters.

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