POEM: ANKARA by Salam Adejoke

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At first it was a tiny thought,

Gradually it becomes a tiny dot,

Layers upon layers of cotton stretched on each other,

Woven in fractions for strength,

A representation of culture,

Beautiful in the past, present and future,

Various patterns adorn it's finished surface,

The Egba's pride in their Adire,

The Ghanians share the beauty of Kente,

What African doesn't value the Ankara,

A tale of might and discovery,

A representing conquest and bravery,

No king as regal as an African in Ankara,

Each colour and print with a hidden message,

Echoing voices of our ancestors in their thousands,

"You are strong and brave", they say,

"We surround you in beauty and strength", they chanted,

"None is like you our regal one", they bless.

Salam Adejoke is a Nigerian Writer, Architect and Poet who loves nature, landscape and interior design. When she's not busy playing Scrabble or trying DIY's, she's painting for fun. She can be reached via Facebook @KingAdejoke or @Olori Salam Adejoke.

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