Fan-shaped Child Of Africa (October Contest)

Many African children are fan-shaped,
little wonder why the sage would say,
“Mangoes don’t fall far from the tree.”

But most times we assume more use
of ourselves, make essence of our shape
and take away the heat of life
from our brothers’ faces.

Nigeria is one of such children,
a mother who pushed me out
from her womb and placed me upon
a sturdy bed called Edo.

I would learn in time
that the reason why we’re not all fans
lies in the choice we say “Oma” or “E wo” to.

The choice to learn from your mother,
selling cassava, turned into yellow garri,
upon a little red wagon.

The choice to make your wagon even bigger,
and consequently add a few frills
to the span of your fan.