I want to go where you were
the green mountain glistering afar
Land of incredible specimens
The finest of them all, they said.
You have travelled a long way
through land and sea
to crown the tops of your captor's roofs.
Now it seems you have always been here
You remain silent and do not want to be traces
for fear of the horror within.
You stand out from all the others crowns so grey
Who would have guessed the process
you have been through.
Uprooted, melted, polished, reshaped and integrated
to crown the finest in town.
I think of Tsumeb, the land of malachite
That must have been where you come from
Now empty for all is gone.
I am the raw hoping for a chance
to spill my guts.
- O.N. (Otobong Nkanga)
Reflections of the raw green crown, 2014
artwork and photography done by Otobong Nkanga
@steemsense has exclusive rights to display works done by Otobong Nkanga