Africa Poetry Magazine

Africa Poetry Magazine –

"‘83 Kɔm" by Scott Frost

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September 15th, 2026

‘83 Kɔm

by Scott Frost

we 
remember
the year
the earth refused us.
 
when rain
traveled to Nigeria,
spoke Yoruba,
ate a bowl of egusi
with a sprinkle of amnesia,
& forgot the road back      home.
 
when fire
ate farms
with both hands. when 
hunger
walked tongue to tongue. when
he sat in chambers with naked eyes,
chopped onions,
& dared anyone to cry.
 
how could we forget
that a brother two houses away
could hear the thunderstorms
rising in places
food goes
after you eat?
 
we learned to weather storms
where gari meets water—
in the quiet repetition of survival,
in meals
stretched
to feed too many mouths,
in a child counting ribs
with curiosity.
 
how could we fill
the gullies of Rawlings’ chains
when we could not fill
the potholes
of our stomachs?

About the Poet
Scott Frost resides in Asamankese, Eastern Region, Ghana.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications
on Scott Frost's Artist Page.

This poem is also featured in Poetry World #16, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Keywords: famine, hunger, Ghanaian history

Previously published in Africa Poetry Magazine:
Amber of the State
by Kamaldeep Aishat Temilolu

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