Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

Poets' Corner

The Patrimony

  Laughter
Is no more heard in the land!
  Gaiety
Is met with only in dreamland!
  Smiles
Are wry and suppressed!
  Scarcity
Is the characteristic feature of the land!
  Queues
Without end are spread over the Soil!
  People
Of the land are captive of dire want!
  I scream
The scream of the Frustrated!
  I sigh
The sigh of the saddened!
  I bemoan
The paradox of poverty in the midst of
    showered abundance!
  I decry
Those acted versions of Cain's retort
    In our precious land!
I shed those tears sincere mourners
  alone Shed!
The costly heritage lies submerged
In a malodorous and horrific mess!


Kumi Ansah-Koi,
University of Ghana, Legon.






talking drums 1984-09-17 Challenge for Samuel Doe Cameroon which way out Ernest Obeng