Friendship

This piece was inspired by a statement a friend made in a WhatsApp chat: "Funny how we grow and old friends fall off and new ones come.."

Behold, my response:


Leaves of a tree.
Fall, winter, spring, summer.
And the cycle continues.
Sometimes, like a leaf preserved in the pages of a book,
We're able to hold on to the important elements of our todays for tomorrow.
And at other times,
The moments fade away
And stay but a memory.
Nevertheless, they help shape and mold us
For what is yet to come
In the mysterious unknown.

My Giant Sequoia.

-By Nana Afua Kumiwaa Asante (That's me). (December 28, 2019)

Dedicated to Prof. G K A Ofosu Amaah.

Towering. Huge. Mighty.

My giant sequoia- that’s you.

Unsure of whether to be scared or afraid

Nervous or petrified

In childlike awe

I approach you.

The image of you

So massive, so strong, so deep, so tall

It tells a story. A story of old.

Of times which I could only dream, read of or imagine.

A story of resilience. Strength. Power. Betrayal. Tragedy. Love.

The list goes on.

Storms weathered, battles fought.

Some lost, some won.

Whatever you face, you overcome.

At the sequoia, I need only take one look and wonder.

What lies within? What have you seen? What have you heard?

Should I go? Should I stay?

Which way do I tread? Which path do I take?

Its rings hold so many secrets, and indeed, one can only wonder.

Fortunately, with you, while you are my giant sequoia,

This is not the case.

I return over and over again.

A warm hug, la bise,

A listening ear. A few words, sometimes kind, sometimes stern.

In your presence, I feel at home.

I am content sitting at your feet

Tapping into your well of wisdom.

Under your gaze, I do not remain unchanged.

I am transitioning

And when this caterpillar fully transforms into a beautiful butterfly

I pray my memory of your influence never fades.

Towering. Huge. Mighty.

My giant sequoia you’ll always be.

Happy birthday, Prof. I love you.