Songs of Irie Quotes

“And now, I hate her as much as I miss her. I resent her, just as much as I could never blame her. My father was abusive—just like most men are to their wives. And the unsettling truth is, although he brings joy to me and my sisters—he brought our mother’s life just as much misery. The perfect father and yet the worst husband. Two realities fighting each other in one man.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“Tandi and Siarah grab onto me, a dark reality consuming us. You won’t hear about this on the news. How we sat in our own sorrow in the heart of the ghetto, drinking disaster as the sun beats into our black skin. For us, living in paradise means we are forced to digest its poisons. There is nowhere to run, because this is our home.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“In my mother’s eyes, she wasn’t able to give my father an heir to his throne—but she could prepare a good wife in the hopes that I might one day marry a man who made up for it.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“I can’t help but notice how different it feels to see her in her own environment. Almost as if I’m seeing all of her for the first time.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“Her light eyes and fair skin shield her, like a cloak, from the war terrorizing my home. Even on the surface, Jillian and I are worlds apart. I stare up at the Out of Many, One People sign over her bed—suddenly unsure of how the national motto actually makes me feel.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“Where is dis comin’ from, anyway? We never talk about politics.” “Well, maybe we should start.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“Peter Tosh? Bunny Wailer? Toots Hibbert? Dennis Brown?”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“This island is only as strong as its weakest link.” Christopher’s voice is low as he examines me. “And the weakest link will always be the poor.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“You are my home and my greatest joy. I met God in your arms. I am grateful beyond measure for the ways you have uplifted me and kept me during the hardest times in my life. For the ways you have wiped every tear and held onto every bit of hope. Thank you for seeing the light in the times when I couldn’t. There is no me without you. No love without your grace. You are my family. My home and the strength of my creativity. It is the greatest honor of my life to love you all back.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“It’s just so hard to lose my best friend like that.” “Yeah.” Ace nods. “But it’s even worse to lose yourself.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“I pray your creativity roams and is never be bound by the illusion of fear. You are worthy of all you can conjure up.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie

“He nods. “Your sister is very lucky to have you.” I pause, never having considered it. “I actually think it’s the other way around,” I say softly. “She saved my life once. I just hope I can return the favor.”
― Asha Ashanti Bromfield, Songs of Irie