Poetry – Page 2 – Tampered Press

ABLE BODIES

Poetry by Aeesha Abdullahi Alhaji winds howled—pulling hearts from southern caves of prodigals/search for rejuvenations. a therapy conjures past memories to repair broken frames—of sacred faces, a boon eternal on african maps, crimson as blue orbs in earth, searching home(sick) souls, in lights aligning our dusky temples. Afrikaans...

November 24, 2023

DANCING IN THE AMERICAS

Poetry by David Martin Aliker Dear Dollo, You have been in my dreams since you left dancing in a circle with your African brothers to your favorite traditional Bwola dance. If you will ever go dancing in the Americas don’t dance in a circle with your brothers don’t dance to...

November 22, 2023

INTENTIONS

Poetry by Deborah Saki I wrap my intentions in the brightly colored fabrics of my home, (And) fold them into the recesses of my heart, when the officer at the immigration desk asks, “What is your business here?” I say my letters well-rehearsed - The degree, the research, the advancement...

November 17, 2023

COMMUNION

Poetry by Afiah Obenewaa Tomorrow I will phone my white-skinned brother. In my dream I forget to remember. He is a dark-skinned soul trapped in sheaths of white. In my dreams. I will tell him I won the Colour Pageant. I will tell him I now own hearts. And command...

November 15, 2023

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO RETURN HOME

Poetry by Roseline Mgbodichinma (Ụzọ) i You start with an egg (àkwá) In a new country / an egg is an omelet In your nostalgia / it is the warmth of your Mother's womb / It is craving the arms that nursed you / Whether they be living or dead....

November 13, 2023

COLOURS

Poetry by A. D. Xavier Ijeawele You are walking to the stream again Bare-footed and shea butter-coated To the banks where Europeans' feet first docked Before gathering hides Brown-skinned bodies And sun-ripened alligator pepper in body bags While their blue eyes smiled into the face of Lawinor Eneke the bird...

November 9, 2023

LOST COMMUNION

Poetry by David Agyei-Yeboah There are people dying If you care enough for the living Make a better place for you and for me Michael Jackson You and I are not so different We house crimson streams and brittle matter Yet you choose to tear me apart every waking...

April 4, 2023

WATER FROM EWES

Poetry by Henrietta Enam Quarshie In these parts, with dry winds and relentless sunshine. Where bare feet slap red earth where hearts are full and smiles aplenty, we will welcome you. We will bend low in homage by the earthen pot. We will fill the calabash. We will get...

April 4, 2023

MY COUNTRY BROKE ME FIRST

Poetry by Tawiah Mensah My country broke me first. Days before you left, you asked me about the things that make my heart ache. You always wondered why I’d never been able to stretch out my scars, watch them cower beneath the sun so I can begin to be whole....

March 24, 2023

LAGOS

Poetry by Yewande Akinse Lagos. I hear your name as Parisian clouds hover around me your scented air hounds my fondest memories as I, am a nomad on pilgrimage I remember you – the congestion of your borders, the scarceness of power and the erraticism of sanity I have wandered...