Thursday, August 27, 2009

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

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

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.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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?

Friday, August 14, 2009

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?

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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)....



Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

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!

Monday, August 10, 2009

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.

Friday, August 7, 2009

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



Thursday, August 6, 2009

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

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

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






Monday, August 3, 2009

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)