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Kpetekple

Jay Appoh

Not everyone’s got the sparks,

some of us are calm and reserved;

though we burn fiery red and hot,

we don’t crackle or break up.

 

Not everyone’s got the sparks,

some of us are broken and misshapen,

beautified by our ugly scars;

trophies won from battles against

our fiercest fires.

 

Some of us lost our sparks;

we were too busy fighting

battles with ourselves.

Constant rejection and pain, 

swords of hurtful words

pierce our sides daily,

leaving our souls wet from tears,

making it impossible to ignite  

a flame.

 

Lest we forget

we are children of the sun,

stars which burn brighter than tomorrow.

Unfortunately, every day is a rainy day.

 

Not everyone’s got the sparks,

some of us have burned out;

flames of love, fear, hope and rage,

and though we might be ash,

embers of our dying flames still burn.

 

Not everyone’s got the sparks,

but some of us do,

and we who do really let ‘em sparks glow, 

flaunting our perfectly imperfect perfections.

Editors for Kpetekple not yet setup.

Testament is the second stand-alone anthology produced entirely by the Ta Voix team of aspiring professionals, which now stands at around 300 contributors from around the world.

This work is a testament to the skill and passion of the team, and of their voluntary commitment during one of the most difficult times through which many of us have ever lived.

First published by Ta Voix 2020

Copyright retained by the individual authors. Ta Voix has been granted the non-exclusive right to exhibit these works. No part of this anthology may be reproduced without prior written permission of the individual copyright owners, except for the use of cited quotation.

Photography ©
Benjamin S P Davis
Phil Hearing
Alex Motoc
Hert Niks
Elena Ferrer
Laura Ohanessian
Daniel Gregoire
Peter Yost

Design © Raphaelle Broughton
Typesetting © Raphaelle Broughton