Tonight I performed some spoken word at a networking event organised by Corporate Afrika. Their theme for the event was creativity, hence me being booked to perform – just to break up the night a little.
I only had a short amount of time in which to share so I chose one of my favourite pieces that I know really well. The second piece was something that I wrote on the train journey to the venue. Yes; on. the. train. journey to the venue!
This risky move was a combination of boldness and stupidity on my part but I often get inspired when in transit so I capitalised on it and voila! The risk paid off – thank God. One man even came to find me at the end so I could repeat some lines that resonated with him so that he could create a poster! I found the gesture so humbling and his enthusiam for my words made my evening.
In short, it was a great night and I met some interesting people. So, I thought I would share the aforementioned piece that I wrote on the train with all of you!
P.S. I don’t have ‘proper’ outfit photographs but I took a selfie before leaving my apartment so that will have to do.
Question
He asked me:
“Do they have clean water where you come from?”
To which I replied,
“Do they have books where you come from and if so,
why didn’t anybody teach you how to read?”
But then I remembered that knowledge and
common sense are fraternal twins
So I decided to give him a brief education 1.
Where I come from, manners mean something –
you should think before you speak 2.
Where I come from, Heritage, is more than a shop
to buy contrived cultural gifts in, and more
than awkward conversations at the funerals of
strangers we share DNA with 3.
Where I come from, we hear you say
that Africans are weeping but the clouds
cry more on your land than they do on ours 4.
We are some of the happiest people on earth,
despite colonisation, limiting beliefs,
marginalisation and corruption,
our mothers give birth to leaders 5.
Where I come from, is home to some of
the smartest, richest, most resilient
and fearless individuals you will ever have
the pleasure of calling your friends,
employees, neighbours or your boss 6.
We are not all thirsty, with flies for friends,
But we certainly are hungry.
Hungry for knowledge and possibility,
for wisdom and the chance to leave a legacy
We eat opportunities for breakfast,
devour stereotypes for lunch
then excrete accolades because we gorge on success.
Can you believe that he asked me:
if they have clean water where I come from?
© Assumpta Ozua 2015
Beautiful photo and amazing words. Good to meet you.
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Thank you very much 🙂
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Reblogged this on _FreeSpirit Ekundayo and commented:
i recently wrote a piece on africa, which will be the first piece i ever perform and i guess seeing this post just before i perform is a sign of good things to come. keep it up. An amazing piece.
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Thank you so much, I trust that it is a sign of good things to come! All the best with your performance!
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Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo
News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never
seem to get there! Cheers
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Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely
different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
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Just had to comment.. lovely piece.. i’ll be sharing
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Thank you 🙂
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Brilliant piece! I also get inspired on train journeys and have written large amounts of content on them lol. Must be the rhythm of the train…
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Not just me then! 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting – glad you liked it.
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