I'M An African Poet Poem by Stella Sisanda Qishi

i'm an african poet
i hail from the dark soil
baked by the southern sun
coated in my glaringly black skin
yet nop self-pity governs me
as i rise from the dark ashes of independency
to my tormented self
this is one prescription you won't find in pharmacies

i'm an african poet
i write to quench the thirst
from the long runs i made to exile
and free the small voice at the back of my head
urging me to empty the kegs of anger
brimming inside like malty Chibuku
i do not need Ecstasy to arouse my creative self,
the callous are doing a far greater job
leaving me with not much of a choice
but scribble my sorrows down a white paper

it is safe to say
i owe my sanity to poetry
this is how i celebrate,
this is how i grieve