“The Foreigner from a Distant Land.” by Paula Addai | The Rants of a Ghanaian!

I am a foreigner, from a distant land.

I speak your language but you don’t understand.

I have hands like yours, that are never praised

I have eyes like yours that can also gaze.

I know you came from the land of my father

But then why can’t we accept each other?

It is sad you think that you are better

But if I am stupid, how did I write this letter?

My strength you use to beat your butter,

But whether I’m hungry or not, it doesn’t matter.

I know one day I am going to belong

That Is why I comfort myself with this bitter song.

It is hard to sleep when I hear the loud bang

From thoughts of my family members being forced to hang

You try to keep me on your little hook

Your ears burn when you hear me read a book.

You can take away my bread , and burn my clothes

But whatever you do, we will never be foes.

Being strong and running fast is something I’ve learnt

I’ve been chased like a dog betrayed by my own scent.

My only way to escape from your trigger

Is to hold my breath and cross that river

Restricted in life and even by who to love

Praying for the freedom you will never have

Soon , you will stop judging me by the colour of my hand

But until then I remain a foreigner from a distant land.

Paula Eno Addai