The Loom Continues to Weave

words by Sean Bamfo, art by Sana Friedman

The loom still weaves

Blue Cotton fills my new skies

My brother now lost but oh so close 

A land once home now alone 

Twisting and turning through the sins

Pandora once released, my bracelet 

The only thing left but even that broke. 

Reborn my wings now steady 

I soar like the eagle. 

And still

The loom still weaves

Green Aso-oke cloth weaves the feathers of my new wings, 

Learning to fly through the bizarre streets

Of Lagos, the world was never quiet,

My soul always full. 

I remember hearing Fela Kuti,

For the first time,

12 minutes passed as the guns blared and

zombies fill the streets, 

our protectors wear a new mask. 

I remember leaving her,

Leaving home, it rained and

Water no get enemy

So my tears abandoned me. 

And still

The loom still weaves

The rich red silk fills the beauty of my

Kente cloth, proud I stand

Like the men who led once 

They’re torch blaze like the vibrant 

Kente cloth, proud I stand

Serene like the waves of the Gold Coast,

Beholding the fertile Ashante land,

Renewed by the crisp Saharan wind,

Harmonizing with the wind singing “Adaawe,”

Me dɔ wo I whisper waiting to return as

Passion lights my dormant torch a blazing red,

The black star I’ve sewn on my chest

Makes me one with my kin. 

And still…