Stories From Young African Poets: Of Intense Feelings and Notebook Tearing, Gladys Let’s Us Into Her Childhood.

…So, I talked to the brown and white doll.
It didn’t fully belong to me
but it was always available,
always available…

I have always felt things intensely.

After my sister was born, I felt neglected. Everyone was visiting and saying “hi” to the newborn and I seemed to stop existing. It didn’t help that she was light-skinned and I dark. People contrasted and questioned why I did not look like my sister. It hurt to bits.

In class two, the comments, and the alienation overcame my little brain. I did not know who to talk to or how to vocalize the pain and confusion I felt. I started writing. I would tear pages from my books and write what I felt. Unfortunately, my mum found the papers. I was beaten black and blue. I stopped talking and writing. I now write like my life depends on it, because it does.

Writing has brought me friends and joy I did not think was possible. I keep writing because I have never written a story that didn’t resonate with someone. I keep writing because some stories suffocate me- haha.

Hopefully, soon, I will write for a living.

But mummy, where's my daddy? By Gladys Njamiu.

At age 2, I had a pretty doll 
I loved the doll 
a blue and white doll 
a doll with beautiful eyes 
I loved talking to my doll 
my favorite doll 


I lost my doll 
or rather the doll lost me 


my mum got me books 
crayons, pens, dresses, 
but none replaced my doll 


years later, 
mummy brought home a doll 
a brown and white doll 
a doll with beautiful eyes 
the doll talked to me 
the doll stayed with me 
a strange doll, 
I craved for my white and blue doll 
mummy said the brown and white doll was enough 
that I should be grateful 


So, I talked to the brown and white doll 
it didn't fully belong to me 
but it was always available 
always a available


Mummy said a doll is a doll 
I asked but mummy
where my doll 
where's my daddy?

Gladys Njamiu writes on mental health, books and entertainment. Holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from Machakos University. A poet, cat and podcast lover. She shares her reading progress on her podcast (aunty_ wa_ vitabu podcast). She also runs a personal blog (gladysnjamiu.com). A rest and boredom advocate. Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in Parents Magazine Africa, VibeYetu, The Star Newspaper, Khusoko.com and elsewhere.

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Hannah Omokafe Dennis

Hannah Omokafe Dennis Is A 24-year-old Journalist, Voice-Over artist and UNFPA Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Advocate Living In Nigeria. She Currently Serves As A Community Manager In Konya Shamsrumi AndHas Some Of Her Written Works Published On Writer's Space Africa and audio stories on Genti media. She Enjoys Using Words And Her Voice To Tell Stories. She Tweets @Omokafe_forite.

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