Talking Drums

The West African News Magazine

Poets' Corner

Way back to freedom

At last the herds have gathered
About my resting staff
Pasture non-existent
Starvation a reality
We could still say we have arrived
Before us a lonely pond
All enough to fill just a gourd
But most importantly
Most unfortunately,
Too un-medicined even for beasts
And, who's got a choice
These starved beasts or I?
I howl them together
Like Imam at his faith
All heads to earth
We seek to quench years of thirst
No wine no milk no cream
Can abate.
We seek like a prayer
The face of god or goddess
Or things in amnesia
Like way back to freedom.


Tehtey, Koforidua, Ghana






talking drums 1985-02-11 open letter to rawlings