I am from the equator,
from lizards and red dirt roads,
colorful cloths and bright smiles.
From the smell of smoked fish and the sight of public urination.
I am from loud, booming music and all-night church services,
Formal greetings and unclean left-hands.
I am from the itch of mosquitos and the stickiness of sweat,
Unpredictable power outages and water shortages.
I am from the Atlantic ocean
the palm tree,
whose water left the taste of salt on my lips
And whose shade protected my skin.
I am from the roaming of goats and chickens,
the shepherds herding skinny cows across main roads.
From the art of carrying heavy and high loads on heads.
I am from banku and fufu and third-hand products,
from President John Mahama.
I am from road side produce stands
and small container stores;
from “God is Merciful” Hair Salon,
And “Don’t Mind Your Wife” Chop Bar.
I am from “Obruni! Obruni!”
and “I beg you,”
from “I am coming” and “tomorrow next.”
From people called Comfort, Miracle, Kwami and Kofi.
I am from Semi-Circular Street,
fried plantains and fresh coconut.
I am from the Vytrak team and a house full of laughter,
From Friday pizza and movie night and Sunday morning brunch.
I am from the struggle of functioning in a different culture,
The steep and uneasy learning curve of doing business;
I am from discomfort and confusion, failure and heartache,
Beauty and growth.
I am from living in the gap of two very different worlds,
From fear of forgetting.
Read Josi’s original “Where I’m From” Post