Sesa Wo Suban [Change Your Attitude]

after Lucille Clifton’s Enemies

I sit at the feet of Amala, Ahukyi and Tayi Bakyi,

Though I no longer sit at your feet.

They plait my hair in three

Their coarse fingers dance in my scalp as they whisper to me:

Mmere Dane. Time changes.

I scoff.

I have twirled through time, waiting for it to change.

They do not yank my hair, though I half expect them to.

Sesa wo suban.  They sing in unison.

Change your attitude.

My attitude?

I have submerged myself in oil and rolled around in dirt.

Sesa mi suban?

I have carried cola nuts up mountains and littered them in valleys.

Sesa mi suban?

I have begged Aya at the bottom of all seven seas wearing rocks as anklets.

Sesa mi suban?

I have carved into my skin and smeared my own blood on my front door.

Sesa mi suban?

I have crept into your husband’s tent with a sword and spared his life for your children’s sake.

Sesa mi suban?

I have performed fifty four thousand seven hundred and fifty ablutions since telling you.

Head. Face. Arms. Hands. Feet.

Head. Face. Arms. Hands. Feet.

Head. Face. Arms. Hands. Feet.

Sesa mi suban?

I have hailed Mary, full of grace, blessed is the fruit of her womb.

Am I blessed to you?

I have removed my tongue so that it no longer speaks truths.

But you remember don’t you?

I have repeated the truth to you in all my dreams and told the wind to tell the trees

So that you never forget.

I have built my warhorn in preparation for what’s coming.

Efris3 eMmere Dane’a

I’ll be ready.