Keep One Chair

Keep one chair, keep one chair
If you bring that storm, leave it over there
Keep one chair, keep one chair
This house got rules, and we mean them fair

Ama came through with the red bowl steaming,
At my auntie’s house, everybody’s beaming.
You sent “I miss you” then you sent three more,
Now your cousin’s suitcase is behind my door.
My bedroom lock clicked, no drama, no speech,
Love is not a spare key hanging in reach.
Taxi outside, meter ticking in the heat,
I said, “We can talk tomorrow—tonight, retreat.”
You called me cold; I called it a line,
Even sweet palm wine stays inside its wine.

Keep one chair, don’t move mine
Bring your truth, leave your trouble outside
Keep one chair, one safe place here
We can love you without losing our air

Kojo borrowed my charger by the kitchen sink,
Cracked my phone screen, said, “Ei, don’t overthink.”
Then he invited the whole block for a fight,
While my mother’s good plates were catching the night.
He said, “Real friends cover,” I said, “Cover what?”
Your apology’s empty but your pockets are not.
I took back the charger, put the chain on the gate,
Friendship needs a door when the damage comes late.
No hard feelings, but the answer is clear:
You can dance at the party, not sleep in my fear.

Auntie said, “Blood is blood, let the boy come in,”
But the same old trouble wore a different grin.
He promised no shouting, no debt, no scene,
Then asked for my last note before half past three.
I passed him water, not the house account,
Put the spare room key where the broomsticks mount.
He called me selfish; the highlife kept time,
I said, “Family is love, not a lifetime fine.”
The empty chair waited beside the fan,
A welcome can be warm and still have a plan.

Keep one chair, don’t move mine
Bring your truth, leave your trouble outside
Keep one chair, one safe place here
We can love you without losing our air

I used to explain till the sunrise birds,
Turn every “no” into paragraphs of words.
Now the taxi’s waiting, driver called twice,
My peace costs less than your midnight advice.
I saw that cracked phone face me from the table,
A little broken glass, still perfectly able.
I locked my heart? No, I locked the room,
Left one chair open where the good days bloom.
If you come with respect, pull up and sit,
If you bring the old storm, don’t bring me with it.

Not punishment, no—just a place to breathe,
A door can close and still let kindness leave.
That borrowed charger taught me what to share,
The chair stays open—just not for despair.

Keep one chair, don’t move mine
Bring your truth, leave your trouble outside
Keep one chair, one safe place here
We choose our peace and we keep you near

Keep one chair! — one safe place here!
Keep one chair! — respect the air!

One chair. One rule. Come right.
One chair. One rule. Come right.