ODÚ OMO ADÈYEMO
They say,
There is something in a name
Well, then,
Here’s mine:
I AM:
Esther Moyósòre Olùsolà Amókè Adèyemo
Yes it is a mouthful,
Bt its not for you.
No, not to:
theorise
Standardise
exotify
No, you see, I gather these names:
my names.
And I lay them in the sun,
A spiritual landscape,
A generational lineage
For me to inherit.
No, you see, my names do not conjure an idyllic Africa
An essentialised motherland with spears, bows, and arrows.
No, you see, my names do not respond to decisions made around a Berlin conference table
No, they do no begin when You encountered Sángò, Óshun, Yemoja.
No.
I AM:
Esther Moyósòre Olùsolà Amókè Adèyemo
17 Vowels, 16 Consonants…
Well, in your language.
In mine…
I AM:
Omo Amókè Ade.
