Poem, LONDON

May 19, 2022

We were Never Derelict

by Otis Mensah

Pockets of people’s stories 
cradled by brick and mortar 
amidst the rubble and murmur 
living catalysts of love 

Paint gallons of life on dreary 
dance over mundane & void 
solitude birthed a smile
that sought community & good 

Build towers of noise aside us 
such transience won’t quake 
a spirit, not stone cemented 
but blood & flesh & faith 

We were never derelict
just displaced and out of sight 
carrying home inside us
when home they tried to break 

おれらはけして放棄されなかった

オーティス・メンサ

訳 石田瑞穂

人々の物語のポケットは
煉瓦とモルタルにあやされる
瓦礫とぶつくさ声のさなか
愛するきっかけを生きて

ぞっとする人生を大量にペイント
コミュニティと善をもとめて
微笑む俗ぽくかつ空虚な
孤独をダンスするのさ

お隣に騒音タワーをうち建てる
そんな無常は魂ひとつ、
セメントで固めた石も震わさない
血と肉と信義のほかは

おれらはけして放棄されなかった
立ち退かされて見えないだけ
内なるわが家を運んでる
やつらが家に押し入った時も

Otis Mensah

Otis Mensah

Otis Mensah, self-proclaimed mum’s house philosopher and rap psalmist, offers an alternative take on contemporary Hip-Hop and spoken word. Endeavouring to shed light on existential commonalities through vulnerable expression, Otis’s work reads like a stream-of-consciousness moving through worlds of thought.

Otis releases music independently, taking creative projects like Rap Poetics to the stage around the UK and Europe, as well as making his debut at Glastonbury Music Festival. Otis has opened for heavyweights like Benjamin Zephaniah, Arrested Development, The Sugarhill Gang, Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest,Lowkey, Open Mike Eagle, Chali 2na and Blu & Exile.

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