The Ebony That Reigned

The Ebony that Reigned

I 

Distractions

Echoes of deep hoarse voices

Envelope thoughts of deep rooted choices

In efforts to deter such noises

Many have offended the source of the evil forces

Back and forth these voices come and go

Carrying darkness, pain and death

Distracting – making slow

Carefully crafted thoughts

An agenda born in hell

Actions inspired by the devil

Banku Flesh (Cover)

Dear Bukom Banku,

“An empty calabash cannot sink in the river… A man can never be careful unless he buys a new car and a white shirt. “

I’m sure you are wondering why I started with these quotes; quotes famously uttered by yourself, quotes with very deep connotations, quotes that has made you revered by many including myself but it seems like you are no more worthy of that reverence

This letter comes at a time when Ghanaians no more consider your gimmicks as mere jokes. Indeed some are beginning to believe that you may be gradually losing it. I don’t entirely agree with that assertion but what I do agree with is the fact that you are listening to and assimilating the wrong advice.

Before I continue, let me make it clear to you that you are one of my favorite personalities in Ghana. Aside the fact that you entertain us in the ring you also have a great voice and that’s why you have treated us to a few bangers; notable among them is the one with King Jerry and Nii Funny -“Otanfo”. Your quotes and wise sayings cannot be overlooked. They are pregnant with wisdom and insight – the more reason your current actions seem to baffle and bemuse me.

Let me say without mincing words my dear brother that whoever told you to start bleaching your skin in order to make you fresh – so to speak, has offered you the worst advice since humanity evolved or was created depending on what you believe in. I mean what could possibly make a man of your stature and caliber, an undefeated champion in your division, the “African Mayweather” – as you proudly call yourself, listen to such counsel, let alone succumb to it and go further to execute it?

If you do a fair assessment of your current body complexion, you will realize that not only have you caused an unpleasant skin color you have also done irreparable damage to same. I would not want to delve into the science of the harm you are currently causing your skin cells but the earlier you stop this nonsense the better for you. Have you thought of your career? Do you know how this action of yours will in the long run affect and cause people to ridicule you? Listen to me, I know you don’t really care what people say about you but remember those same people were the ones who lifted you up and trust me they will leave you high and dry if you don’t get it together.

Just a few weeks ago I saw a video of you stripping almost naked in front of a camera and dancing without any inhibitions. Indeed you had friends and acquaintances supporting your actions, cheering you on and you couldn’t help but fool yourself. Apart from the fact that you will be charged with indecent exposure, have you thought of the moral implications your actions will have on your children, as well as others who look to you as their mentor?

Your political affiliation is another topic I cannot leave out. I understand the fact that you have declared your stance and vehemently so but remember your supporters do not all bow to the same god. So put a lid on it. Support whoever you want to but make sure it doesn’t necessitate any backlash.

Finally let me say that you should stop boasting about the number of wives and kids you have. In this contemporary age, nobody cares about those numbers.  The numbers we care about are those of your titles and bank accounts.

I will leave you, in the hope that you will take my advice. Well it’s not like I care if you do or don’t. I needed to write this for the mere fact that I blog and yes because I care about you. The former reason however carried more weight in my decision.

Cheers “Banku Flesh”

Yours Truly

Nii Odenkey

My Country’s Woes

It is an undeniable fact that the average Ghanaian’s mere existence is something attributable more to a miracle than leadership actions. In my humble opinion democracy has not served its purpose in Africa and more importantly my country Ghana. Having three square meals a day is a privilege enjoyed only by a few so you can imagine how many can afford decent accommodation and clothing let alone the luxuries of life.

The depreciation of the cedi is another hurdle my dear country has had to grapple with and you can forgive any citizen for harbouring thoughts of hopelessness – the future doesn’t look bright, not at all.

Everything seems to be in the “pipeline” and one cannot help but wonder whether any good thing will eventually come out of that “pipeline”.

Successive governments seem to be making efforts geared towards a healthy sustainable economy but the perception of corruption and perhaps justifiably so seems to be derailing all efforts.

Issues ranging from environmental pollution, blatant disregard for traffic regulations and lack of basic amenities have made life in the country unbearable to say the least.  The roads are not well marked, the pot holes are a nuisance, traffic lights don’t work, and the drainage and general infrastructure is poor.

If you have ever been to the developed countries, I’m sure you might be wondering how they managed to make a haven out of what God endowed them. Their streets are beautiful and well lit at night, their water is constantly flowing, their traffic laws are obeyed to the letter – even when they are flouted you can trust the system to hunt down and punish the perpetrators without fear or favour.

Now let’s juxtapose those countries with Ghana and see if there is something we missed and still missing. The obvious answer is yes we are missing a lot. The question that follows then is that are we doing enough to even start achieving what they have and still continue to achieve. The obvious answer in this case is no.  Our leaders haven’t showed the commitment needed to steer this country out of its mess. Every measure taken to curb a problem is often done at the spur of the moment and never lasts. The forward thinking quality is lacking in all of them and amazingly it only seems to be the case when they assume office. In opposition, they have wonderful ideas and one cannot help but wonder what prevents them from executing those concepts when the mandate is given them. Is it a case of them improperly assessing the economic situation at the time and hence making improbable and unachievable promises or simply a case of deliberate refusal to do what is right and what will help the country?

Is it too much to ask for uninterrupted flow of water and electricity? In any case, what is our tax money being used for? Is governing a country that difficult? Why are other countries improving the lives of their citizenry and we cannot? Do they possess more resources than we do? I can go and on and on, alas, I will not get a convincing answer to my questions. I believe however, that I live in one of the richest countries in the world and till we find leaders worthy of our wealth and ready to utilize the wealth to the betterment of the citizenry, we can only hope and pray.

 I rest my case.

Unfailing Eros

Grab the wings of strength

Follow where your instincts lead

Matters of the heart – hard to deal with

 

I once fell in love

Consumed by a storm of loving joy

Nothing mattered more than her

The Great Zygote

He raced even further than his colleagues

For he wanted to be the chosen among the lot

Almost a year he rested in a confined haven

A duct connected him to his host

From where he fed and gained palpable nutrients

He kicked as and when he willed

Giving the carrier pains that were bearable

His conception was far from planned

Two young adults who gave in to their lustful desires

Now here he lay ready to make an entrance

An entrance into hopelessness and insecurity

The fight for termination by his makers went on and on

The carrier finally tried the destruction procedure

But she got little success

This zygote was determined to live

Among other things he scared his mother

Who delivered but cast him out

To the cold and icy wind

To die or perhaps be saved

....To be Continued

Territorial Advantage

Our foes languish by our feet

For their obstinacy erased every thought of retreat

On and on they kept coming in a huge fleet

Our gallant soldiers they were ever ready to meet

Swords dangled and clanged in mid-air

These fools failed to reckon they were in the lions’ lair

Screams of hurt and pain as sharp edges caused deep wounds

Their blood oozed with every bite from our wild hounds

Now their stubbornness vanish like the fading harmattan

Their surviving cowards take to their heels and ran

Their plan for battle was archaic and vintage

Plus, we were heavily favored by territorial advantage

AFRICA

Plagued with an unimaginable measure of beauty

She sits somewhere between the Indian and the Atlantic

Her history boasts of nothing but debauched slavery

Having served leaders who were very autocratic

She boasts of a vast expanse of unexploited vegetation

An even greater magnitude of untapped mineral resources

Yet her people reside in abject deprivation

As they look beyond their motherland to external sources

Famine, drought and diseases are her nemesis

Her leaders never seem to be sensitive to her plight

Amassing wealth for themselves and families

Ignoring the very reason for their current might

Oh Africa my motherland

Bursting with glory and heavenly blessings

May the good Lord stretch forth His hand

To bless thee with leaders worthy of your consecrations

To My Mum ~ On Mothers' Day

Nine months of excruciating pain

A mother finally delivers again

Another baby inhales the air of planet earth

And is thankful to mum for such a birth

Nurturing and protecting with tenderly love

She takes care of her young like a sweet dove

Even though things were not always rosy

You always made me lay my head somewhere cozy

Here a day to appreciate you – mother

My mouth cannot utter enough praises to offer

Your reward is definitely high up in Heaven

Because you have provided me with such a haven

Soul Mate

I don’t really know how to begin this piece

Because you qualify in every sense to be my niece

But you have offered in my troubled heart, inconceivable peace

And for you, this poem – I have decided to deduce

I feel no shame in this truthful admittance

Because in you I have found an ingenuous acquaintance

An acquaintance who is every inch worthy of my benevolence…

I’m still finding it difficult to understand your longstanding tolerance

Even in the wake of my recent repulsive aberrance

You have never showed any signs of abhorrence

In your presence I have a wonderful ambience

And I can’t simply imagine how I would cope with your absence

In you I have a trustworthy alliance

An alliance who will provide for me every needed assistance

The Month of Love

Here again a month of untold love and affection

Changing each and every one's unique diction

Incorporating a new set of vocabulary into our books

And changing in a much detailed way our looks

A unique set of apparel donned on this occasion

Red and White I guess is the combination

At the sight of our loved ones most of us become poets

Hoping they will partner with us in order to sing duets

Duets that will resound gracefully in our ears

Providing great peace and harmony in our hearts for years

Then those three little words are said in a special way

A way that will suit that special day

Happy Valentine’s Day

Nuptials Carved By Our Parents

Those lovely little precious moments

Moments we shared and treasured like two lovely doves

Doves that had fallen freshly in love

Love which had been nurtured over a long period of time

Time which had been kept assiduously by our bountiful parents

Parents who had been looking forward to this Nuptials

Nuptials planned since our conception in their wombs

Wombs that had born and bred other siblings

Siblings who had failed to grant them their heart desires

Desires they expect that we shall grant under any circumstance

Circumstances which we can no more bear and tolerate

Tolerate and bear circumstances like their constant nagging

Naggings which are gradually becoming a nuisance to our ears

Ears that have had to put up with these nonsensical demands

Demands which we are slowly hearkening to

To make them happy and satisfy their bitter souls

Souls that have not rested in many years

Years that have seen them hope to make this combination

Combination of their seeds in order to continue the family friendship bond 

A Poem For You On Valentine's Day

The month of love is here with us again

And I know our endeavours in the past year has never been in vain

My secret admiration for you has never been in doubt

And I intend to continue until you understand what I am about

Your beauty can be likened to that of a mermaid

Sparkling with incessant beauty – Just like it’s said

Now I intend to make my intentions clear in this way

And on no other event but this special day

Permit my being to fill that part of your vacant heart

And I promise to give your love life a new start

Let this occasion signify a new beginning

A beginning of love and affection unending