Severe Blue
Ecrit par Brian Wambua
31 Janvier 2024
The waters stretch all around us
Raging and roaring in the darkness
Angered by our presence
After all, we are intruders
Then we hear her calling from the depths
The Ancient Spirit, our mother
She has come to rescue us
From those who have forced us into this vessel
This journey has come to an end
Another one is about to begin
Na tutarudi.*
Let them know they will not break us.
She has led us here,
Now she will take us home.
Amongst the lies that spew from their mouths
Let this be one of the truths-
We have chosen to be free.
*And we shall come back
Context
I wrote this poem as an homage to the many Africans who chose to drown themselves over slavery. I decided to reference Yemaya, the goddess of the seas, from the Yoruba of Nigeria. She is seen here as “The Ancient Spirit, our mother”. I wanted to highlight their trust that things would be better on the other side- home. Yemaya, the goddess of the ocean, would show them the way. Death is a part of the cycle of life towards which these men and women showed an unparalleled display of bravery.
Severe Blue refers to the deepest, darkest parts of the oceans that act as their graves.
Brian.