I Am

I am the Africa

your atlas folded in half

to make the ocean fit the page.

I am the black

you bleach from your wedding photos

and claim never knew.

You want civilisation?

Walk the street to Bini.

The bronze heads do not blink.

They have watched you forget their names.

I am the story

your tongue cannot keep.

it keeps falling out.

That is not my shame.

John Chinaka Onyeche is a Nigerian writer based in Port Harcourt, and a historian from Etche in Rivers State. While he is dedicated to ensuring that the full scope of history is accurately represented, John now writes about family, broken home, the effect on its victims, and survival. His writing can be found in various journals, including York Literary Review, McNeese Review, Pier Review, Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival Anthology, Tilted House Journal, The Shallow Tales Review, Akewi Magazine, Tampered Press, Ta—Adesa Magazine and Brittle Paper, etc. He is a Best of Net/Pushcart nominee respectively. He can be reached on X/Twitter @Apostlejohnchin