The Match To The Flagstaff House

They will come and go

whose promises are weighed

measured and found wanting.

Victory fallen on the hands which went higher

from minds heavy which can’t be sustained.

Dark sky gave birth rejoicing

and victory song chanting

when the quest at last attained.

In joy their tooting horns wept

their vuvuzelas failed not to proclaim.

They flooded the streets in their numbers

in borrowed colours and flags

which on their neck and waist hanged
with dances which have lost its shame.

The march to the flagstaff house is on

some to fill their pockets full

others to hoot and at her loot

while I wonder if they will indeed serve

in a house divided,

stained with vindictive blood

echoing in the mind’s eye

all pointing at this same hand.

Ghana was in labour

her wedding cloth she now wears

marching along with her born child across the seas.

Let no hand remove her gown

her bright cloth taint

or her baby kill

till the end of time.  



N.B 
Down memory lane with election 2016.

Thoughts of you

Oh thoughts of you that make me younger

Have preserved me to see this day.

While you were away

Memories of you couldn’t be forgotten.

Oh tell me more and all

Can I stop thinking?

When thoughts of you make me glow

Soothes my soul

And more when my light dims?

Oh sunshine that comes with a smile

The darkness to light

And away all fears to chase.

Why go with the horrors of the night

And go you far from me.

Leave your smile let it stay long

Better is it than this starless night.

Sunshine sunshine long is the night

Oh when? When cometh your smile?

How I yearn to see you

And bow to your voice.

How I desire to kiss your voice

And make love to your beauty.

Not even I can behold my beauty

Why should I let you?

And believe what you feel

When you are no more than an idle dreamer?

No not once will I allow you

Let alone to the extreme go

Oh mine, if only you know

That your presence is my source of survival

Life is death if you deny me this moment

Should you die because of me

Because of my smile, my sight and my love?

What more can I wish for

When you kill me everyday

Each time I stay away

I rot and decay in this rejection

In this world of loneliness

Live without me

Together we must live

One for another and by another

Oh live without me

Not even the air that blows

Will come between us

But air is no respecter of persons

Space and privacy

How do we then elude him?

Consuming love of two and for two

Is well bounded

That none of nature’s elements can penetrate

After we lie and intertwine in a lock.

Only remain calm

For only time will tell how long.

Surprised By My Surprise

Down I came from high

Early before the set time

In a bait to see his face

Prepared a surprise

For a face that beams

Replaced because of his cold

A face like his face own

Can i keep up with the surprise?

Leaving me in this state

Surprised in my surprised

NB

Deby's visit before the agreed time

just to surprise her friend.

She nearly blew her cover 

but a timely intervention. 

Who else is closer to you

Who else is closer to you

so I go to, oh friend that I love

loved from the very first

For you I reserved a space in my heart

where my blood has been banned

not to tread or air exhale

and all for free you refused.

So on my soil,

let not your leaves fall and drop

with the changing seasons

where your boughs ever gave shade.

The Night Has Not Began

The night has not yet began

the roaring seas fires its guns

the teaming calm with its chants

opens wide to even swallow

as they run to and fro.

An eye witness was I

when passed by I

This place I called my home

close to my place of birth

within the perimeters of my tribe

Blood sucker

You blood sucker

you get no tired

sucking the blood out of me.

With cunning words I yield to her plea

on a bed ready prepared for her victims.

She learnt it, survives doing it

sucking them all

she sucked me too.

My blood I see pumping out of its veins

into unknown hands and domains.

You blood sucker
you get no tired

sucking the blood out of my veins.

NB:

To the professional who attended to me

at the blood transfussion centre 

at Ridge Hospital

Ancient spy in the ceiling

I see you move your tiny legs

while my eyes bend to capture

on the walls 

in obscure places
always
when I come closer.

If I could only hear you

your sudden comings

If I am safe under your tree

when your gossamer I cut through.
I wish to know

Wonders untold
generations sing same

you ancient spy
Ananse
Hanging in the ceiling.

You sing and weave the loom
they daze and meet their doom
you rush out like you rush in
with wisdom of old
of the saints untold

Orokoto, under the mango tree

When the furious fire at the top

melts down all its wax,

under the mango tree we shall all be

not for its refreshing shade

but the undying fire which rest beneath

Hahaha

Fire that consumes not the body

but the doubting thoughts

fire which peels off your skin

to look younger than before

Hahaha

No one knows my name and liveth

call me the stranger under the mango tree at Orokoto

who spits fire that burns no smoke

whom none knows his abode

I remember ...
where the sun shines at dawn
I remember...

where the sky meets the earth

Hahaha

I shall tell you no more

but this fire that comes from my lips

They fear me because of it

but I fear it too though from me

because it can burn
its own
its foes

Hahaha

Call for a fall

How I wish you opened up this curtain

to uncover this tears of rage

falling and not stopping.

To see what I see

what gathers like a thick cloud

Come quick!

At the banks I stand

flowing deep

the waiting river

Calling swift

the unending fall.

I Bade It All Fare Well

As I bade it all fare well

As the reality wind blew over me

And cooled to ashes what has been burnt

I am without her

She is without me

Alone, lonely, frail and feeble

Flowers fine

Memories mountain mine

I fought hard to gain

And very easily I lost

I made my mark

I gave my best

It was worth a try

Than fearing to try it all

Never laugh at my bravery

I bade it all fare well

I am without her

She without me

Life goes on

All that matters

To continue to show love

Drown In That Daze

Dark, darker than the darkest pits

She wore even around her neck and hips

Like the noise of many waters in a dance

Flowing down and never getting down

She sat I stood

Wave it all I couldn’t

But stir and confess and aroused

By this great crowd

Be there here with me

Always, when I go in

Come in, come with it

Always, whenever you pass by my inn

Because I will be there waiting

Your flood to carry me away

Like that day

Who cares if I drown in that daze

Kangaroo in a putty

In silence I held it to my bare chest

like a little kangaroo in a putty

very delicate when handed over

what was wrapped in my colours.

I only knew little

what she did

till I realized it was more.

I praised not her gift

but what underlain the giving

that has intruded on my innocence

and left in its stead

this endless wonder.

You are beautiful

Best things come to those who wait

Beautiful things will not wait

When all the time you waste

To tell or have, you must with all haste

How beautiful all what you saw

At the entrance of your world

How you yearn to have it all

If not for others who needed more

And crawl if can’t walk

And mimic if can’t talk

Just to tell them all

That the beautiful one is born

Never to expect another

But treat the rest the lesser

While you sit close to her

And far far away from them

NB:

Dedicated to Nana Agyeiwah 

my match

I throw a match

To set ablaze

Without smoke this flame

This fire that burns not

That inspires that relieves

And leaves not ashes or hatred

But peace and joy within

I want to write

I want to write, not someday

I want to write about me and you

I want to write about this place

This place today, not tomorrow or someday

This place closer to the sea

With marble pillars and brick floors

Where the seagulls even read

NB

Inspired by Binyavanga Wainaina

(Author of “One day I will write about this place”)

cover the uncoverable

Cover

the uncoverable

and eyes

not ice

will see

like lids

will allow

it out

its vapour will cool

to lie like a pool

 Be happy when alone and still achieving results. Wish not for the crowd or to have anyone more.

Still make the noise. If you can, make it the more and be content when you touch a single soul.

Don’t stop them if they want to leave. Let them go, for like wild fire their stay can corrupt the few faithful minds left.

March on not like a chocolate soldier or cutting onions but like an ancient wine.

Appeal and never cry and beg, for good and precious things have their own buyers

Life will provoke to confusion but the word inspires to calm. Walk the talk. 

Kill the arts and like an empty shell you will become, a nation without a psyche.

Under the mango tree

when the furious fire at the top

melts down all its wax,

under the mango tree we shall all be

not for its refreshing shade

but the undying fire which rest beneath

hahah

fire that consumes not the body

but the doubting thoughts

this fire will peel off your skin

to look younger than before

hahaha

no one knows my name and liveth

call me the stranger under the mango tree at Orokoto

who spits fire that burns no smoke

I know not my abode

I remember where the sun shines at dawn

And the sky meets the earth

Hahaha

I shall tell you no more

But this fire that comes from my lips

They fear me because of this fire

But I fear it too though from me

Because it can burn me too

Call for a fall

How I wish you opened up this curtain

to uncover this tears of rage

falling and not stopping

to see what I see

what gathers like a thick cloud

Come quick!

At the banks I stand

Flowing deep

the waiting river

Calling swift

for an unending fall

Aquí estamos

Sooyaama sooyaama...

Aquí estamos,

Ahora aquí estoy con mis dedos finos

Aquí la religión de mis padres

Odododiodioo Odododiodoo

Ablekuma abakuma w4

Después de todo el viaje

Después del va y ven

Aqui estoy

La vida no me appecece

la vida de mis familias, amigos, amores, abuelos

y mi abuelo Que me cuenta la historia,

la historia de nuestros pasados y antipasados

De nuestro conocimiencos y reconocimientos

de nuestros amados y amores

Aqui la verdadera representacion de nuestro ser

aqui estoy

Gbla eje gbla eje …

Yo soy Africano y Orguyoso

Soy Bantu y feo

Soy Fulani con pelo alto

Soy Khoikhoi y vaquero

Soy Masai y guerrero

Soy Yoruba y ceramista

Soy Zulu y fabricante de cuenta

Soy soy soy negro

Negro te quiero ver

Negro te quiero negro

Con el pasado pasado olvidado

Con el futuro tranquilo esperando

Aquí estaré estaré esperando

Wol1ts1m1i ebaee …

Gentle, meek and mild

Gentle meek and mild I see

Yet cannot be what I wish

My fallen eyebrows to raise

When need be

At Julian's wedding

It was the moment I saw something different

The palms hit hard the skin of the small drums

And will not let loose their spleen on man

but on the poor ear their throbbing throbbing

when the bald head sweat another hand wipes it

because the happy honey waist is giggled in gladness

when the hand leaps up, handkerchiefs in the air will shake

bidding goodbye to bachelorhood and spinsterhood

where is he alogo alogo to have here the boboobo

it will soon be their first night

around they will go, around the fountain

from which came this noisy grease

which has set in motion their heavy sides and lips

tiredness is forgotten when cares are shaken off

but only for a while will this last

when music goes off

allowing the real music selected by the couples

to dance as long as they please

their whole life time

dance well my brother the boboobo just ended

dance to the tune you’ve selected

the arena, and the floor stand deserted

dance in glee around the familiar places

don’t be confounded when you discover something new

dance on my brother, dance it off

the outside music might end

yet hear the one within and dance on

if even her music fails, focus on yours and dance on

alone, till yours end

A jump to grab a ray

How beautiful, 

Do you see it?

I don’t

Just a jump will grab it

Before the flickering rays will pass

Child stop

Just before it passes

On my chest it shows

Its brightness in glow

Jump with me before its passing

Wait a moment

Today I wait not a pass

  

Stop!

Don’t!

Child no!

‘Wait for me’

his friend  echoes behind him

in the air arms stretched

to grab the rays

his fingers opened

his pass through the light

into the valley fell

Aaah !

No! No!

No child!

Following the echo till was no more

If only…

When you are far from me

And the birds are singing

My wish you hear

You to cheer

If only you know

When the butterflies

Kisses the petals bright

My wish to kiss you I do

If only you know   

What great mountain huge

Mountain full of love

Has mounted from my heart all for you

If only you know

What you have cultivated in me

What your patience these years

An endless love has grown

If only you know

Know how much I feel

Feelings turned into words I know now

Just to say I love

Soaked with the fragrance from the garden

I soaked myself daily

In the fragrance from the garden

Waiting his gentle latter rains

On or vows to shower

Our pure and spotless lily

Its flowers to nourish

So that at the time of picking and pecking

More than a hand full of smiles

Will us cover and bind

Along the short lived painful journey

After I say I do, I love you

Before the pleasures forevermore

You alone and all that I’ll do with you

When will day break come?

When will daybreak come?

The smoky sky is gone

From where the shinning glory went

Along with the setting sun.

The muddy smelling breezes come

Scattering unclear shadows below

I see failure rise high into the sky

How did flesh and blood do it

Have failed generations gone

With what they left behind

Even those unborn and yet to come

The single mother earth

Still carries in her arms after her delivery

Tired and worn out, her day old twin

Grazing cattle on bare earth

Burning off industrial waste

Whereas above, the smoky sky goes

To join the setting sun

Eyes will close and not blink

At the rot left on top of you

Flies breeding, feet walking

Air blowing you cannot breathe

Where they lie scattered as a heap

On the their lips they pipe it out

From organs darker than the smoke out

The smoky sky goes

Along with its setting sun

When will daybreak come?

Many are her stale born

Nurtured in her womb

Many, her pain and aches

Now this sighing and mourning

Unconcerned, we looked and watched

What our hands and voice could change

Till into the skies it went

In thick smoke with the sun to set

When will daybreak come?

Flowing streams turn quick sand

Their visiting birds can no more fish but perch

And feel the cool fresh breeze

On the once an arable land turned desert

With stinking waste harmful to our health

Here the scraps lay along your banks, oh mother

Once a beautiful bank where the people stood

Now in scattered shadows

live it full

Live it full like all you have

Your last day with your love one

And all that passes and blows

Matters not, only this one

This friendship of old

That has come to stay

Live it full like today

All you have

What will the heavens do?

I wore the cloak of disbelieve

I denied the pass of a tear

I did sleep unprotected

I am awake

It’s gone …

All gone 

Oh what will the heavens do?

Nothing but watch

As if powerless

When you allow things preventable to pass

THIS MAD MAN IS MY FRIEND

He took a step at a breath

one before the other

like one having a sore under feet

He wore an old shoe

bigger than his foot
ready to go off at a step

He almost covered his hair

like one from the Tuareg

And from his eyes 
that light winked at me

I know he remembered me

but will not talk when I approached him

I know he knew me

but lost in speech and thoughts

I know he knew me

we used to play in our youth

and roamed these streets

Now a stranger to it

Oh, this madman is my friend

AGBOGBLOSHIE- When will daybreak come?

The smoky sky is gone

From where the shinning glory went

Along with the setting sun.

The muddy smelling breezes come

Scattering unclear shadows below

I see failure rise high into the sky

How did flesh and blood do it

Have failed generations gone

With what they left behind

Even those unborn and yet to come

The single mother earth

Still carries in her arms after her delivery

Tired and worn out, her day old twin

Grazing cattle on bare earth

Burning off industrial waste

Whereas above, the smoky sky goes

To join the setting sun

Eyes will close and not blink

At the rot left on top of you, Oh earth

Flies breeding, feet walking

Air blowing you cannot breathe

Where they lie scattered as a heap

On the their lips they pipe it out

From organs darker than the smoke out

The smoky sky goes

Along with its setting sun

When will daybreak come?

Many are her stale born

Nurtured in her womb

Many, her pain and aches

Now this sighing and mourning

Unconcerned, we looked and watched

What our hands and voice could change

Till into the skies it went

In thick smoke with the sun to set

When will daybreak come?

Flowing streams turn quick sand

Their visiting birds can no more fish but perch

And feel the cool fresh breeze

On the once an arable land turned desert

With stinking waste harmful to our health

Here the scraps lay along your banks, oh mother

Once a beautiful bank where the people stood

Now in scattered shadows

Meeting Rian and Mary

Surely you will see them appear
Like the star closer to the moon
Never one without the other.
Sparkling smiles beaming on her face
And on his, a hidden but obvious smile I find.
I see that smile that speaks volumes unsaid
When in their company to be desired
Brought closer to my needful shore
Through a silvery precious flute
Found in a woven basket carried by her glorious hand.
Bless where our paths crossed
While I remember each shaking hands
Each melodious tune and what came out of it
A journey under the heat and sun unfolds.
I pray that the footprints will never disappear where our paths crossed
While on our sacred trail, each still going on till the end.




NB
I will never forget the help I received from
these couple within the shortest period
that I met them.
Thank you Mary Richards for helping with my musical notes
and Rian Richards for bringing her each time.

Creatures from their abode above

The afternoon’s heat cannot hide

These creatures from their abode above

They jump and flap, flap and fly

They still mourn the passing

The sorrowful end of the nobleman

The land paid no reverence

In death his share was photography 

In my den

I will lead you then into my den

Whenever you have nowhere to go

An abode called nowhere

Somewhere where the paths meet the streets

Where your eyes will lead you

Through the corners and curves of nature’s gift

Oh its warmth and tenderness much to be desire

Your opened legs, eyes and mind

No free thing

Where have they all gone to

That he even begs

What should have been given to him freely

Loins that formed me

Father from whose loins formed me

Early and bright my thoughts abound

In the fear of your lord and master

When finally there

We’ll get there

It can be a smile

a path in the mind

that the eyes can’t measure

and when finally there

you’ll not see 

but others around you

Not picking my flies

I stand far away 

like a dog they came around me 

with their waist to dance

They shake their tail around

Not picking the flies that hover around

My bruising crown

SILENT CRIES

Blood like water

spilling on the bare earth

There is no time

mother earth to dig

his remains to leave

Hewed and gunned down

By a member of the clan

who spoke his language

and understood him no more

Our earth and its covering is scorched

and all which once sustained us

None but their echoes 

nothing but their ashes remain 
not even the raffia that held the family tight

N.B

Drops of misunderstanding when not nipped

in the bud among brothers and neighbours

can soon grow up into an ocean full of 

conflict, aggression and war that an entire

tribe can no longer swim in. 

Dedicated to

Professor Brandon Kendhammer.

Ohio University

African Studies Department.

10/05/2016