Exhibition Poetry
Really by Toisin
From hot to cold
From black to mixed
I wonder how my life turned
From no jackets to always jackets
From always sweating to always shaking
From my fly style Nigerian clothes
To designer shirts and adidas jackets
Really
How did my life change so quickly?
Omo naija, Sisi Eko by Jane Adelakun
Omo naija, Sisi Eko
A beautiful girl from Lagos
Summed up in those two words
From six years old
Sisi Eko
Lagos- my home
Remember the hot sun
Bright blue skies
Cool night’s air
Stars in the night
Black skies
My father’s low-pitched, soothing voice easing me into a trance
Inner peace. Content
Magical moments
Lagos- Hustle and bustle
Girls carrying their trades on their heads
Bus drivers screaming
Motorbikes
I belong
Lagos- my family
Lagos-my best friends house- my refuge
Chocolate brown skin glistening in the sunshine
Prominent cheekbones, skinny frame
Sunset- breathtakingly beautiful
Pinks, purples, greys and blues
Hypnotic sights
Mother nature- pure unadulterated splendour
Lagos- heavy bulbous rain, greyish-black clouds
Raindrops splattered against the window pane
My nose squashed against the glass
Clear raindrops like tears
Tears of joy
Rhythmical beat- dum dede dum de dum
Lagos-thoughts I cherish in my heart
Thoughts that keep me sane
I remember
They lift my spirits
They make me smile
Omo naija, Sisi Eko, forever mine.
Individual Yout by Tosin
Remembering them days
When you was foolish and young
When all you think about is being a hood
Remembering them days
When school was like
Living hell getting shouted
At wherever you go
Blend in acting like
A badman, wearing hood
Clothes making people fear you
Thinking it a good thing
Whereas back in Nigeria
Wearing clothes was
Where I shine, aint nobody
Could beat me
Wearing my fly style
African Clothes
All them girls like whooo
Omo yi ti duu ju
Moma quadun omo aye o
This boy is too fine
I will enjoy him
Das why coming
from sunset to sunrise
Yes yea dreaming ma country
Every day my heart beating
Faster than ever.
Old Moss Side / New Moss Side by Nikita Bokang Gaditswalelwe
Old Moss Side
Moss Side, Moss Side
It’s so dangerous,
Moss Side, Moss Side,
If only you had Power Rangers.
Knives in people’s hearts,
Gun shots in the roofs,
But the sun still shines,
Even though Moss Side fills with blood.
Moss Side, Moss Side,
Such a beautiful place,
But if you’re not careful,
BANG!!
Off goes your head!!
New Moss Side
Moss Side, Moss Side,
Such a safe place,
Moss Side, Moss Side,
You’re as nice as the care bears,
Love in people’s minds, care in people’s hearts,
No violence, No murder, No tears,
Just euphoria in the air,
Moss Side, Moss Side,
Your full of grace,
And you are multi centurial,
Moss Side, Moss Side,
Shines every day with overjoyed people,
Moss Side, Moss Side,
I have nothing else to say but your great!!
Brother by Herman Fikhte
“You have a brother,”
The best text ever.
Tucking into my apple
As teachers marched the playground,
Patrolling.
A picture arrived:
“15 minutes old,”
Love rose, an unstoppable force
And shone out of my eyes.
Building his cot,
Took me 2 hours
Couldn’t get it in the bedroom
‘Cause the doorway’s too small.
On his arrival,
I expected an air-raid siren 24/7.
I was glad to be wrong.
But a nappy supply
Fit for an army
Has to be bought each week.
Now he’s asleep,
His wonderful eyelashes caress his shining face,
And his perfect, soft, touchable skin,
Gleams in the mid-day golden sunshine.
“You have a brother.”
The best text ever.
