I was born with a colour that sits with the sun,
And tells stories about cracked clay pots and fighting women. I was born with arrows drawn on my face,
showing men with claws where to dig in and feast.
My people live with freedom nailed in their feet. When the night comes, the moon calls us by name. And we rise, carve our hearts on boards,
and leave fear behind closed doors.
Even when the only way to stay alive
is to swallow our teeth.
Still, we fight. Still, we chant.
Holding hands with our feet taped to the ground. And with all the weapons we carry.
A hashtag, a Twitter thread, a flag, a voice.
The mist may sting our eyes and burn our nostrils,
metal may rip through our flesh, and our skin may scald.
We do not back down.
We do not stay back.
Our fight is all we have. This fire is who we are.
Our freedom is all we know.
Tawiah Mensah, hailing from Ekumfi Narkwa in Ghana’s Central Region, is a graduate of the University of Ghana, where she studied French and Political Science. She is a content strategist and creative writer. Her writing centers on the complex relationship between family, friends, and the myriad challenges that women face in contemporary society. Through her poetry, she explores the intricacies of being a young African woman, grappling with acceptance and the journey of self-discovery. She is the author of the poetry chapbook Litany on Loss (African Poetry Book Fund, 2023). Her works have also been featured in prestigious publications, including Tampered Press, WildPine, CanonPodcast, CGWS and others. Empowered by her own journey, Tawiah Mensah stands as a compelling voice, uplifting women, advocating for their growth, self-acceptance, and self-love.
