Oyeleye Mahmoodah Temitope

Lagos, Nigeria

Cross by the sea

At the horizon, one could see the feral blue of the sea meeting the clearer sky blue, creating an endless flow. I grew up watching the sun align with this gorgeous vista. Fish was the delicacy. A land of fishermen had to enjoy fish in its variety -boiled, fried, grilled or smoked. As children, we had fun watching the boats as they sailed across the sea. I used to envy the occupants, wishing that the next one going would have me in it. I was thirsty for the knowledge of what lies beyond. Years later, whence something began to kill the fishes and our sea herself, l left in a ferry, seeking answers. Only  then did I realize that black is a color, and there is more to life than saline fishes, and that adventures exceed tanning near the coastline. I learned discrimination, and I saw how respected those who ruined our world were treated in this new place. They knew naught of our anguish. They inflicted harm on us from beyond, not because they didn’t know what we are, but because they cared not to know.