Culture Chameleon

In youthful exuberance I become a culture bandit Well exposed, but never really learning. Modernity taking a toll as Papa and Ante chased the goods For my sake they said... No mistakes... deed was good Nanny TV with her bright inviting light My imagination on wide escapades around the world And farther altering my personality by giving me languages, dress codes, and even an accent. So I stole, other cultures infused, fitting in everywhere or so I thought. And Yet In all my juvenile delinquency I could never, tell an adult to his face you are wrong Revering old age; what is that, where is that from? In my Success in Corporate with policy of first names and no regard for age but ability and brain I could never bring myself to say Pat. Aunty Pat can you please email the document to me Wait, what? Am I not her boss. So I stole…. Other cultures infused, fitting in everywhere, Or so I thought. Drawn to the immaculate white of that gown Instinctively I top it off with a colorful Kente Scarf? The height I can rock in these 6 inch heels but how Royal the Ahenema slippers makes me feel This perfect perfect pony will do well with…. no not pearls or sapphire; Animal bone necklace and earrings Oh how perfect my manicure will be accessorized with these….no not diamonds Bamboo bangles I will wear the jeans, But only with that tank top with Adinkra symbols So I stole… other cultures infused, fitting in everywhere… or so I thought. My true culture grasping at my core As I gasped, when that little boy called his father’s friend Larry When He picked the carrot stick with his left hand from the bowl serving the community I died Though it didn’t make sense because as a right handed person I would say my left hand is as clean as dried I smiled brightly when that couple spoke Twi, while we waited for the A- train on the subway My Culturally biased heart coveting a conversation So I stole, Other cultures infused, fitting in everywhere A cultural bandit … infused with other cultures… blending in well, or so I thought. Without need of Affirmation, I have Ghanaian blood flowing through my veins I know the voice of my people, the beautiful colour Of the soul that makes a Ghanaian. In the mother land or not. Ghana comes with us. From generation to generation Ghana is us Perfect Culture Chameleons We fit right in Ghana is our heritage.