Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena Moss is an Anglo-Ghanaian writer and teacher who has lived in the UK, Japan and, currently, Australia. His work seeks to explore and challenge liminal landscapes, complex identities and social constructs of race. Most recently, Andrew’s poetry has been featured in Poetry for the Planet and The Best New British and Irish Poets Anthology 2019-2021 by The Black Spring Press Group. He has also been published by Afropean, Fly on the Wall Press and Sound the Abeng, among others.
Andrew’s debut novel – Nicked Names – has just been released by RoseyRavelston. Get your copy here! For more about Andrew’s work, check out: https://www.agkmoss.com/.
TWI PHONE-OLOGY
Mum on the phone speaking pure Twi
I hear the ring of tongue twisting conjuring
I listen in, keenly, to my Kwahu ancestry
Greetings of ‘wo ho te sen?’ from the kingdom of Ashanti
On her lips beam golden regal recognition
Mum on the phone speaking pure Twi
Enunciating ancient graciousness: mepaakyew and medaase*
Akan affricates blend and resound with nasal ring
I listen in, keenly, to my Kwahu ancestry
Lips pursed, teeth and tongue twist in magical phonology
Nasalised vowels, blown like trumpets in rhythm
Mum on the phone speaking pure Twi
The rises and falls of songbirds singing Fanti
Fantastic trills and taps, unknown digraphs flying
I listen in, keenly, to my Kwahu ancestry
Thoughts and expressions of a homeland free
Abruptly
the
line
goes
dead_________________________________
a glottal stop to linguistic wandering
Mum on the phone spoke pure Twi
I listened in, keenly, to my Kwahu ancestry.
*Mepa wo kyew. Please/ I beg you. (I remove my hat to you)
Meda wo ase. Thank you. (I lay at your feet)
© Andrew Geoffrey Kwabena Moss, 2022
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