POETRY

Slave Boy

By Deremi Enny
A black and white image of a mirror reflecting a hand holding a small bouquet of flowers.
(Image courtesy of Lisa from Pexels via Pexels)

Came to my home with a hat and boots.
Slept in my house; I gave up my room.
Asked for my name; He called me marooned.
Wondered why I’m Black. He stared at my food.
Laughed with my Dad, then showed him his tools.
Gave Mama a mirror, Her smile did glow.
Harmless like a fly, his skin sure shone.
Seemed to be nice, Unknown to us he’s a crook.
His friends are in the bushes and they’re ready to shoot.
Killed my father in his sleep and spat on him too.
Pointed the barrel to my mama. He made me a slave boy.

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Deremi Enny

Deremi Enny

Nigeria

Aderemi Eniola, best known as "Deremi Enny," is a poet from Nigeria, West Africa. He reinvents the ancient West African writing style, blending culture with a clear intent to tell cautionary tales and bring ears closer to Africa's shores. Coming across poetry in his early years left a lasting impression on him, putting him in awe of how feelings can be expressed and how big messages can be passed in a line. Upon discovering this alchemy, he sets about creating gold from mere words. He was influenced by the work of master writers like Christopher Okigbo, Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, George Orwell, and Dostoevsky. Deremi Enny is out to create a world out of his writings. You can either find him discussing the state of affairs or teaching children. When he is not doing either, he is in a small town in "Ayobo" selling fish.

Editorial Acknowledgments

Thank you to Jarrod Wetzel-Brown for their inspired edits on the piece.

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