I traverse the world - Benumah

I traverse this world as though

As though I am not supposed to be here

Not as a Christian with a view of her heavenly home

No

I traverse the world as though

Permission must be granted

Permission must be granted to sit in that spot

Swim in that pool

Of ignorance

That paved open walkways for us to traverse on foot through the structures of structure.

Keep your eyes down

Apologise, always apologise.

Say sorry! Say sorry!

Move to the right. Squeeze through that spot.

Stop.

I must be permitted

To live and walk and traverse

What is it to realize that you pose the question that is not asked?

Why are you here? How are you here? Who gave you…

To explain when you do not need to?

I wanted to say it was your fault

I want to say it is your fault

I will say it is your fault

That I do not grant myself the permission

And spend my time watching and waiting and flipping and clicking images

and words and voice that grant the self permission.

The permission to traverse without permission.

I traverse this world as though I am not allowed to be here

Until I can say I am.

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Benumah [Effie Nkrumah] (21st century) Ghana (born in Zimbabwe)

Source: Afro Women Poetry