Friday, 31 May 2024

Our Gallant Soldiers

sons of the golden soil
sons of the men
sons with our name

we sing your praise
on our shoulders we lay
your solemn remains 

broad chested men
whose guns still sound
on the way beyond

you we mourn
our dear loss:
you are gone

we share 
and 
we bear 

what we split: 
your grief
not alone to lift

to share 
is to care
to care 
is to be there
to be there 
 
in person 
in thoughts
in deeds
in words
in prayer

best at rest
beyond the worst
be at rest
 

* In honour of the 5 Ghanaian soldiers 
who lost their lives last year in peacekeeping
and the many others all over the world.

Wednesday, 29 May 2024

He bids you come

Tell them  

there is no hiding under my sun  

there is no need coming if it is only a favour  

if you cannot bear my shame and reproach  

that mark that I now bear.  

 

Come now if you want me too  

the night is young before sunrise  

When you come it's forever  

Because you are worth more than what you have   

When you come we'll be together  

never again to leave my sight 

 

He bids you come  

He bids you light   

He bids you fair speed  

 

Do not tarry 

 

 

Saturday, 18 May 2024

Words can't say it all

 
I said it all to you, oh wind
“That this is not the place”
And left a part concealed
But I will say these few words

Going is like broken mirrors patched with glue when told
Like white linen soiled with palm oil
Going is like the lonely silence
The hands which yearn a touch
The cries which pour out on hearing a loss

Gone with the truth
Firmness, politeness, fairness
With her smile, patience
Her repetition and understanding
When will there be another like you
I can’t stop asking even when I know there is no answer
I am glad I was in your final class
Those who enjoyed your best the last 

Indeed
some things are best not said
Some things
words cannot say them all

Like today, 
like yesterday
Like the last day of class
 
What I will say
It might be long
Don’t be gone for long
Let the contact be long



Prof. Garabano
At her last class meeting

You are the one

 

Out of the dark corner that hides me
The shame that shadows my crown
I stand in the middle of the journey
Waiting to continue with you
We spoke of my crown and my search
It was that night we first exchanged words
That night you saw me take my bow before the crowd
That die is already cast
I have found her at last
And you are the one

Friday, 23 February 2024

THEIR HOME

Crowded for food in lost hope
in a hunt the axe destroyed their own.

Leaf picking with beaks alone
in feeding and building their home.

Where the roaring winds blow
close to a hanging nest on a pole.




Officially published by Rio Grande Review, 2024. SCI-FI ISSUE. SOLASTALGIA.
Click url below for audio of the poem 

Tuesday, 30 January 2024

Look beautiful

 
Look beautiful!
You are old!
I am young!
This is age, it is a number
which counts only upwards
and means nothing if you don’t count at all
 
A veces sale el sol
con su brillo brillante
A veces sale el sol
sin su brillo, claro solo.
Ayer miré tu cara
y ella era bonita
Hoy me encanta tu cara
La bonitísima de los rostros.
Y eso es lo que es
para crecer en belleza
lo importante en lo que pensar
Solo un número es la edad
Nunca lo cuentes
Look beautiful!

Wednesday, 24 January 2024

Wishing You Well

Like the desert accompanying a hearty meal
I came late but to linger on
little but sweetest
To wish you well
Not like the others...
Not to say farewell
 
Moments well spent
are purposes well served
Forever in bold memories
I shall them carry on
Though short the moments
Still best the effect
 
You’ll miss and will be missed
Your place they will take
but never you replace
If not in this exiting space
 
Ahead lies many more
Only the legs that fit into the shoes
Can say it well how it has been
How dark how hot how soft
 
Like a fragrance tossed in the open air
Many felt your sweetest savour
And in the heart of the silent many
Your flowers bloom even on desert dunes
 
I shall not say farewell
but wish you well
today if it is you
tomorrow will be who? 
I shall never say farewell
but always wish you well




Specially for Ms. Davis
Read on her last day at work:
1/25/2024