I Confess

i confess, i told a lie

reaction changes nothing

the mortal sin stains the fabric of my existence

punishment and pain a welcome comfort

i scrape and thirst for that which is your disapproval for in it i shall find solace

i confess, i told a lie

the existence of which i am, is broken

purity contaminated

i shall no longer drink with conviction, dine with belief

innocence and joy are lost to my beatific heart

i confess, i told a lie

but can you do the same, Confess?

the hyprocritical shadow engulfs your being

gossip and scuttlebutt in your scuzzy niches of twisted ethics

i no longer need your acceptance

I confess , i told a lie

but for that i am free

INconvenience store

a 'convenience store' in Ghana is a somewhat of a misnomer. you pop into one aiming to buy one or two necessary supplies; some soap, deodorant, some juice and a gauze maybe. lets just say, for the sake of argument you get everything you need. you get to the counter , put down your cash and the 'convenience store' clerk looks down at it and says, 'i don't have change'.

at this point i believe you have three options
1. buy something you don't need
2. put something you do need back on the shelf
3. just leave everything on the counter and leave.

1, 2 and 3 = INconvenient.

Ghana Moments: Spoken Word

i love my country. i love it for its promise, i love it for its flaws, i love the fact that we have a history and a future that are the envy of the whole of Africa (this Africa does include south Africa. hehehe). the one thing however i love most about Ghana is its people. kind and hospitable. those are the words which are often used to describe my fellow country men. but what are words that my fellow country use to describe? the Ghanaian English language is a joy to behold and even though some of the statements that are made by Ghanaians are atrocious they bring a smile to my lips and to my heart. below are a few of my favourite expressions, phrases and sayings.

The last end (situational description)

The last corner (situational description)

The last show (the last major event/scene in a movie)

you can't me ( you're no match for me)

no any body (nobody)

its not the best (inappropriate)

blowman (hero)

since since (a long time ago)

tomorrow next (day after tomorrow)

yesterday's back (day before yesterday)

wrong mistake (double jeopardy)

return back (double jeopardy)

repeat again (double jeopardy)

i trust my leg (no known English equivalent - help me out)

tankas (town council)

what are yours?

Cuties to Custody (Part 4): The Question!

...sullen and sultry and with a exaggerated limp

he walks out his cell 'playing' the wimp

in her arms he falls feigning fatigue

she is taken in, an provides for his needs

she fluffs his pillow and puts him to bed

she gently strokes his balding head

hes content with the success of his ploy, his lie

she tells him she loves him and caresses his thigh

he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep

but is woken abruptly by the question, whose Angelique?

Cuties to Custody (Part 3): Custody

his shirt is taken , his belt is as well

and ever so politely ushered into his cell

he patiently waits while they place the call

he awaits his spouse, time slows to a crawl

she finally appears, in her robe and in tears

his heart stops pumping, shes calmed his fears

the officer recounts at length and with fervour

the driver stands by, an amused observer

a bag is opened, and a palm is greased

(two 'bribes' in one night , today i shall feast)....

Cuties to Custody (Part 2): The Plan

his wife such conduct will not entertain

he drives round campus , wracking his brain

an idea comes to him as quick as a flash

he shakes his head, his Benz he will not crash

he ponders on what; what to do, what to do?

he hatches three plans but settles for number 2

he parks his Benz in the cold quiet night

the law enforcement logo is ablaze with light

he walks on in and there he confers

the situation is critical he minces not his words...

Cuties to Custody -Part 1

his wife cursorily he has set aside

a flimsy excuse he bore with pride

at 11 he is expected at home

tonight he has a valid licence to roam

the drink as a rule he does not use

the women however do make him drool

to campus he does his new Benz take

anxious girls follow in his wake

his time with youth he does enjoy

but time grows old, past 1, oh boy!

a 'timely' meeting!

i'm strolling down the canopied road. the trees provide a welcome break from the heat which continually slapped my closely shaven head. i watch my feet as i walk, a pastime which i engage in when boredom just won't leave me alone. its a bad habit i picked up from american students on campus, shuffling around with their heads between my knees so that they don't make eye contact. (hehehehe - hilarious).

anyway, for a second i escape from my self indulging habit and raise my head to ensure that no surprise awaits me during the next 30 of so steps. as i raised my head i noticed a 'sister' at the end of the canopied tunnel . she looked very chic as she walked towards me. hair all shiny (fresh perm) bright white laces on her yellow sneakers (brand new), big loopy earrings (way-too-much) and an ego i could feel enveloping me from 20 meters away.

boredom decided to 'bounce', i levelled my chin and pulled my 'oh-yeah-you-want-me' swagger from my swagger safe. i was determined to engage this young lady in conversation.

i approached her, she approached me; nose in the air (snob!). just as she passed i enquired , 'excuse me, could you tell me what time it is please?' she eyed me from head to toe and with an indignant toss of her hair she glanced at he shiny time piece and answered, .....3:75.

i said..... or rather exclaimed, thank you and smiled broadly. i looked at my feet and giggling to my self proceeded to exit the canopy. to experience the 3 hour, 75 minute old afternoon.

Nature in Love

day by day, the leaves dance on the kisses of the wind

the branches hold them firm , like jealous lovers

the trees sway with gentle movements of a forgotten dance

nature partakes in wild romance

The Female Stalker

i'm watching him, does he know?

oh i want to squeeze his buns! My beau!

i think of him so much it should be a crime

i even slept under his window one time

i have to duck, wow, that was close

i was just able to hide, by the skin of my nose

i pick up my cell and then i call him

his gentle voice on the other end makes me grin

i follow him to work, my leader of the gentry

he looks so mature, my loving hearts' sentry

i imagine him and i having so much fun

oh, he must be late, hes started to run

i marvel, i gaze, i fantasize and i crave

pictures of passion, my knees start to cave

the warm summers day befitting ambiance does provide

one day you'll be groom and i'll be bride

Stalked

someone is watching, i know they are

someone is following, i should feel like a star

but i don't, in fact i'm very disturbed

the fact that i'm an object has left me perturbed

i peer out of the window at the pitch black night

the phone rings behind me, i jump up with fright

the voice on the other end is silent, non-existent

the beat of my heart is now more persistent

i walk to work looking over my shoulder

all this worry is making me look older

i am being observed, by whom i know not

my pacey walk turns into a trot

i ponder, i pace, i fear and i dread

unkind images of my fate dance in my head

the warm summer day seems such a dispiriting place

some sick individual is invading my space

The Fear of Man

The joys of life include a girl

who comforts you when you drink and hurl

who cares for you and strokes your hair

who consents and offers here derriere

who cooks and cleans

who irons and steams

who ensures the tips of your shoes do gleam

who laughs at all your sordid jokes

who ignores those cheeky prods and pokes

who tolerates your nasty friends

but always to your needs does tend

BUT!

The bane of life

includes a wife

who never lets you go the bar

who disallows you from going far

who never lets you 'cop a feel'

who beats you with her high shoes' heel

who lounges and splurges

who gives your blood pressure surges

who never laughs and never smiles

who has an expression like she just drank bile

who never wants to play the host

and turns your 'mojo' to a ghost

Samaritan or Sucker?

This weekend passed without serious incident (sigh of relief). There were no illogical attendants and no irrational drivers on the road, save for yours truly. Despite the tranquility of my weekend there was a parenthetical point of note that I want to share with you all.

On Saturday night, as I was leaving the hospitable atmosphere of Walker's XL Pizza on the Pig Farm junction in Accra, I was approached by a man. He was unkempt, short and wore a melancholic expression upon his weathered face. He asked me for a minute of my time to which I obliged. He proceeded to pour out his story in the most mournful manner I had ever witnessed (and i have witnessed quite a few). As he recounted his ordeal tears welled up in his eyes and he began to sob profusely.

Briefly, he told he was from Benin, a victim of theft and stranded in Accra. He told me of how he had asked others for a little money so that he may find something to 'chop' and how he was promptly told to 'Go chop your mother.'

I'm human, I was touched, I opened my wallet . He thanked me, showered me with blessings and ran, joy in each stride, holding his 'alms' aloft in such a manner that warmed my 'giving' heart.

As I drove home I reflected on what had just 'gone-down.' The more I thought about it the more I questioned, was I a Samaritan or a Sucker, Eleemosynary or an Eejit .

(Fast-forward to Sunday afternoon - Results are in, I have been reliably informed that I am a Sucker.. I was defrauded, bamboozled, hoodwinked, led by the nose, played false, juggled, diddled, swindled, conned, tricked, had, hustled, deceived and I've learnt my lesson)