By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Give
Give ceaselessly
Give more than they ask
And you will
Receive more than you need.
Copyright 2010
dimanche 31 octobre 2010
LAST WISHES
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We need them all
All, to the very last one
We also need the crown
So send them before the fall.
Copyright 2010
We need them all
All, to the very last one
We also need the crown
So send them before the fall.
Copyright 2010
OUR THE ONE AND ONLY LONE RANGER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
They shoved him aside
Because he wouldn`t join them
Tomorrow when the boss decides to hem
He`ll again be taken for a ride.
Copyright 2010
They shoved him aside
Because he wouldn`t join them
Tomorrow when the boss decides to hem
He`ll again be taken for a ride.
Copyright 2010
A JUST REWARD
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
You have been simply wonderful
For that reason, I hand you this bible
May your life be bountiful
And may you with no one ever quibble.
Copyright 2010
You have been simply wonderful
For that reason, I hand you this bible
May your life be bountiful
And may you with no one ever quibble.
Copyright 2010
THE DEFECTIVE DEVICE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
It`s the handle that came off
Not the filament
But if you remember the first commandment
You won`t call it a bluff.
Copyright 2010
It`s the handle that came off
Not the filament
But if you remember the first commandment
You won`t call it a bluff.
Copyright 2010
COWRIES AS WISHES
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We heard your request
So have no sleepless nights
But if you fear the tempests
Then bring us fifty cowries and two ladies` tights.
Copyright 2010
We heard your request
So have no sleepless nights
But if you fear the tempests
Then bring us fifty cowries and two ladies` tights.
Copyright 2010
WHY WORRY?
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The programme is known
So, why do you pretend?
If you aren`t full blown
Then why must you extend?
Copyright 2010
The programme is known
So, why do you pretend?
If you aren`t full blown
Then why must you extend?
Copyright 2010
ONE WITH GOD
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Masses are not a mere ritual
They are a powerful ceremony
A re-enactment of the Last Supper
And total communion with Christ.
Our relationship shouldn`t be contractual
It should be a testimony
One made of concrete, not rubber
So let`s close up the gap with Christ.
Copyright 2010
Masses are not a mere ritual
They are a powerful ceremony
A re-enactment of the Last Supper
And total communion with Christ.
Our relationship shouldn`t be contractual
It should be a testimony
One made of concrete, not rubber
So let`s close up the gap with Christ.
Copyright 2010
GOODS FOR THE CONGREGATION
By Tikum Mbah Azonga/span>
Everything remains unchanged
Forget about the congregation reports
But if the goods still remain unclaimed
Then dispatch them to all the nation`s ports.
Copyright 2010
Everything remains unchanged
Forget about the congregation reports
But if the goods still remain unclaimed
Then dispatch them to all the nation`s ports.
Copyright 2010
RINGS THAT BETRAY
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The wedding bells are chiming
And the couple is ready
But the rings won`t fit
What if the priest changes his mind?
Copyright 2010
The wedding bells are chiming
And the couple is ready
But the rings won`t fit
What if the priest changes his mind?
Copyright 2010
THE SAME MAN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
He came again today
Just like last week
He is here with shoes that creak
And a mind that refuses to obey.
Copyright 2010
He came again today
Just like last week
He is here with shoes that creak
And a mind that refuses to obey.
Copyright 2010
CALL TO DUTY
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I was duty-bound
So it wasn`t out of likeness
It wasn`t beccause all day you hound
It was because of my kindness.
Copyright 2010
I was duty-bound
So it wasn`t out of likeness
It wasn`t beccause all day you hound
It was because of my kindness.
Copyright 2010
QUEENLY LEAVE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I wasn`t here
My peers were
I went to see the queen
Although she wasn`t too keen.
Copyright 2010
I wasn`t here
My peers were
I went to see the queen
Although she wasn`t too keen.
Copyright 2010
THE BLOOD PACT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
May we by this act
Such as the one signed by my grandfather
Tayong Ndzah Refo`, Wan Anomah, Wa To`
And Gaforbe of old of Santa
Be united with you
Stop us from drifting apart
And stop us from coming too close.
Copyright 2010
May we by this act
Such as the one signed by my grandfather
Tayong Ndzah Refo`, Wan Anomah, Wa To`
And Gaforbe of old of Santa
Be united with you
Stop us from drifting apart
And stop us from coming too close.
Copyright 2010
GOD OUR MAKER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
He made us
And can unmake us
He knows us
And can disown us
His word is final
But we are mortal.
Copyright 2010
He made us
And can unmake us
He knows us
And can disown us
His word is final
But we are mortal.
Copyright 2010
THE ILLUSION OF WEALTH
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Wealth is a mirage
Until you get closer
Then you see the red bank account
And the leaking roof
And the ventilated pockets.
Copyright 2010
Wealth is a mirage
Until you get closer
Then you see the red bank account
And the leaking roof
And the ventilated pockets.
Copyright 2010
CLEAN SLATE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Sin is corrosion
And repentance, cleansing
Forgiveness is absolution
And forgetting, cementing.
Copyright 2010
Sin is corrosion
And repentance, cleansing
Forgiveness is absolution
And forgetting, cementing.
Copyright 2010
GOD AS ONE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
God is not a theory
He is experience
His deeds are exemplary
And his results, far from transience.
Copyright 2010
God is not a theory
He is experience
His deeds are exemplary
And his results, far from transience.
Copyright 2010
samedi 30 octobre 2010
THE THERMOSTAT
(An odd piece of device gone haywire)
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
You can`t regulate the temperature
Even if you could, you wouldn`t
Because you have no thermostat
And the boss man isn`t here to show you the set-point
What then is programmable,if the thermostat isn`t, you may ask
Well, to find the answer, first check your cooling system
Thermostats are complicated little animals
They can trap you like an animal in a cage
And then wound you mortally, even if they`re digital
So, don`t believe every word the engineer says
Even he is scared of the thermostat
Although he can`t tell you that.
Copyright 2010
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
You can`t regulate the temperature
Even if you could, you wouldn`t
Because you have no thermostat
And the boss man isn`t here to show you the set-point
What then is programmable,if the thermostat isn`t, you may ask
Well, to find the answer, first check your cooling system
Thermostats are complicated little animals
They can trap you like an animal in a cage
And then wound you mortally, even if they`re digital
So, don`t believe every word the engineer says
Even he is scared of the thermostat
Although he can`t tell you that.
Copyright 2010
APPRENTISSAGE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Apprendre pour s`épanouir
Apprendre pour entendre le cri du du nouveau-né
Apprendre pour balayer devant sa propre porte
Apprendre pour remettre les pendules à l`heure.
Copyright 2010
Apprendre pour s`épanouir
Apprendre pour entendre le cri du du nouveau-né
Apprendre pour balayer devant sa propre porte
Apprendre pour remettre les pendules à l`heure.
Copyright 2010
CHEVAL D`EN HAUT
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Les valeurs humaines instantanées
Et les reflexes récidivistes
Voilà pourquoi le cheval de bataille
Ne peut provenir que du Tout Haut.
Copyright 2010
Les valeurs humaines instantanées
Et les reflexes récidivistes
Voilà pourquoi le cheval de bataille
Ne peut provenir que du Tout Haut.
Copyright 2010
AVEU DE TOUJOURS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Elle a dit, “Assez!”
Et moi, “Ce soir!”
Maintenant que Monseigneur est parti
Je vais tout dire
Je vais tout raconter.
Copyright 2010
Elle a dit, “Assez!”
Et moi, “Ce soir!”
Maintenant que Monseigneur est parti
Je vais tout dire
Je vais tout raconter.
Copyright 2010
RECETTE DIVINE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Je ne suis pas égoïste
Loin de là, je suis altruiste
Je brûle du désir de me transformer
Si non, le seigneur risque de me broyer.
Copyright 2010
Je ne suis pas égoïste
Loin de là, je suis altruiste
Je brûle du désir de me transformer
Si non, le seigneur risque de me broyer.
Copyright 2010
JESUS OF MAN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Pa Dan Afu`u Awangia)
Man on his own
Is nothing
Only God is self-sufficient
Without him
Man is empty, void, amorphous, non existent
So let`s embrace him
Now and for ever.
Copyright 2010
(For Pa Dan Afu`u Awangia)
Man on his own
Is nothing
Only God is self-sufficient
Without him
Man is empty, void, amorphous, non existent
So let`s embrace him
Now and for ever.
Copyright 2010
BODILY HARM
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Let our bodies be pure
But let`s not necessarily be puritans
Even as ordinary citizens
We can also share communion.
Copyright 2010
Let our bodies be pure
But let`s not necessarily be puritans
Even as ordinary citizens
We can also share communion.
Copyright 2010
CODE OF CONDUCT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Don`t sulk
Don`t pout
Smile
Better still, laugh
Make merry
Pray
And pray daily.
Copyright 2010
Don`t sulk
Don`t pout
Smile
Better still, laugh
Make merry
Pray
And pray daily.
Copyright 2010
JOB TIME TABLE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Six days gone
Six more to go
So, what next?
The town crier?
The smoked fish?
The adulterated wine?
The charred bible?
Or the Sunday missal?
Copyright 2010
Six days gone
Six more to go
So, what next?
The town crier?
The smoked fish?
The adulterated wine?
The charred bible?
Or the Sunday missal?
Copyright 2010
THE SURPLANTED ROOTS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My roots are here
They`re not there
Wherever I go, I come back here
I do so
Even when the end is near
Even at the eleventh hour.
Copyright 2010
My roots are here
They`re not there
Wherever I go, I come back here
I do so
Even when the end is near
Even at the eleventh hour.
Copyright 2010
FAITH AS A RECIPE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
It`s not qualifications that matter
You may have them all and still lose
What matters is the faith
The belief in the things yet unseen
So have faith and grow in it.
Copyright 2010
It`s not qualifications that matter
You may have them all and still lose
What matters is the faith
The belief in the things yet unseen
So have faith and grow in it.
Copyright 2010
READING THE SKY
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
If the sky groans
Stand back and mind the gap
It it goes red and menacing
Fetch your tunic at once
Tomorrow may be too late.
Copyright 2010
If the sky groans
Stand back and mind the gap
It it goes red and menacing
Fetch your tunic at once
Tomorrow may be too late.
Copyright 2010
LATE CROP HARVEST
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
If you want beans
Plant beans
Don`t plant corn
And expect beans.
Copyright 2010
If you want beans
Plant beans
Don`t plant corn
And expect beans.
Copyright 2010
DIOCESAN WORK
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Raise them all up
And clap for yourself
If tomorrow one falls
Send a quick note to the bishop.
Copyright 2010
Raise them all up
And clap for yourself
If tomorrow one falls
Send a quick note to the bishop.
Copyright 2010
UNPAID BILLS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Who is paying for that?
Not me. My boots are hung up already
And my banker is on annual leave
So, return the bill to the sender.
Copyright 2010
Who is paying for that?
Not me. My boots are hung up already
And my banker is on annual leave
So, return the bill to the sender.
Copyright 2010
THE IDEA OF TIME
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Time is a fleeting asset
Difficult to pin down
And too correct to be modified
Time is elastic and inelastic.
Copyright 2010
Time is a fleeting asset
Difficult to pin down
And too correct to be modified
Time is elastic and inelastic.
Copyright 2010
JMC 498 SUPERVISED STUDENTS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
UNIVERSITY: University of Buea
FACULTY: Faculty of Social and Management Sciences
DEPARTMENT: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
SUPERVISOR: Tikum Mbah Azonga
YEAR OF WORK: 2009-2010
LIST OF STUDENTS AND DISSERTATION TOPICS
1.Jacob Yonga Nkol
"The Impact of the Mass Media on Informal Education in the South West Region of Cameroon".
2. Kiven Brenda Nsodzefe
"Television and its Influence on Adolescents` Sexuality".
3. Ngoran Guilio Berngeh Forwang
" The Impact of Facebook, a Social Networking Site , on Institutions of Higher Learning: A Case Study of Molyko".
4. Loveline Lum
"The Role of Public Relations in Financial Institutions: A Case Study of the P. & T. Credit Union and the Tole Tea Credit Union".
5. Ayang MacDonald Okumb
"Foreign News Reporting in The Post and Eden Nnewspapers from January to February 2010"
6. Nwunfor Babila Niba
" Challenges Faced by Private Radio Broadcasting Operators in the Establishment and Operation of their Media Organs: A Case Study of the Divine Mercy Radio, 97FM, Buea Town."
7. Sanje Betty Miyang
“The Impact of Television Advertizing on Consumers: A Case Study of the 33 Export Beer.”
8. Kumba Kamdem Edwige Sophie
“An Evaluation of the Information Content of Commercials: A Case Study of MTN Cameroon Ltd."
9. Njoh-Mboule Anne Estelle
“The Impact of Latin American Soap Operas on Cameroonian Televiewers: A Case Study of Molyko Residents."
Copyright 2010
UNIVERSITY: University of Buea
FACULTY: Faculty of Social and Management Sciences
DEPARTMENT: Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
SUPERVISOR: Tikum Mbah Azonga
YEAR OF WORK: 2009-2010
LIST OF STUDENTS AND DISSERTATION TOPICS
1.Jacob Yonga Nkol
"The Impact of the Mass Media on Informal Education in the South West Region of Cameroon".
2. Kiven Brenda Nsodzefe
"Television and its Influence on Adolescents` Sexuality".
3. Ngoran Guilio Berngeh Forwang
" The Impact of Facebook, a Social Networking Site , on Institutions of Higher Learning: A Case Study of Molyko".
4. Loveline Lum
"The Role of Public Relations in Financial Institutions: A Case Study of the P. & T. Credit Union and the Tole Tea Credit Union".
5. Ayang MacDonald Okumb
"Foreign News Reporting in The Post and Eden Nnewspapers from January to February 2010"
6. Nwunfor Babila Niba
" Challenges Faced by Private Radio Broadcasting Operators in the Establishment and Operation of their Media Organs: A Case Study of the Divine Mercy Radio, 97FM, Buea Town."
7. Sanje Betty Miyang
“The Impact of Television Advertizing on Consumers: A Case Study of the 33 Export Beer.”
8. Kumba Kamdem Edwige Sophie
“An Evaluation of the Information Content of Commercials: A Case Study of MTN Cameroon Ltd."
9. Njoh-Mboule Anne Estelle
“The Impact of Latin American Soap Operas on Cameroonian Televiewers: A Case Study of Molyko Residents."
Copyright 2010
vendredi 29 octobre 2010
LIEU DE DEUIL
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Notre jardin est dans l`angoisse
Nos toits brulent
Et nos femmes pleurent
Finies les causeries éducatives
Et les chuchotements crépusculaires
Vivent les maintes définitions !
Nos seuls témoins résident dans l’ancienne paroisse s
Et les cathédrales gothiques qui pullulent
Seules les femmes connaissent leurs vraies demeures
A condition qu`elles ne soient pas séropositives
Lorsque retentiront les supplications épistolaires
Seul le gouverneur de région posera ses conditions.
Copyright 2010
Notre jardin est dans l`angoisse
Nos toits brulent
Et nos femmes pleurent
Finies les causeries éducatives
Et les chuchotements crépusculaires
Vivent les maintes définitions !
Nos seuls témoins résident dans l’ancienne paroisse s
Et les cathédrales gothiques qui pullulent
Seules les femmes connaissent leurs vraies demeures
A condition qu`elles ne soient pas séropositives
Lorsque retentiront les supplications épistolaires
Seul le gouverneur de région posera ses conditions.
Copyright 2010
SEUL SUR LA SEINE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Ecoute cette pluie romantique
Et sa chanson angélique
Regarde son visage d`innocence inouïe
Ses rides sans caresse, ni tendresse.
Alors, à quand l`adolescence folle ?
Les pangolins ivres et les guenons fous ?
Les couloirs antiques ?
Et les vifs souvenirs de la Seine ?
Copyright 2010
Ecoute cette pluie romantique
Et sa chanson angélique
Regarde son visage d`innocence inouïe
Ses rides sans caresse, ni tendresse.
Alors, à quand l`adolescence folle ?
Les pangolins ivres et les guenons fous ?
Les couloirs antiques ?
Et les vifs souvenirs de la Seine ?
Copyright 2010
A MISSING LINK
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For the one and only Gobina)
We saw him stumble
But we didn`t see him fall
So if there`s anybody in this kitchen
Let him know I`m very hungry.
My fried plantains may be hot
But while the boss is playing games
Will you then rush to the staff canteen
And swear it wasn`t you who sold on credit?
Copyright 2010
(For the one and only Gobina)
We saw him stumble
But we didn`t see him fall
So if there`s anybody in this kitchen
Let him know I`m very hungry.
My fried plantains may be hot
But while the boss is playing games
Will you then rush to the staff canteen
And swear it wasn`t you who sold on credit?
Copyright 2010
THE ALTAR LIGHT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Light an altar candle
And give it to Mary
Just as she gave love to Jesus
Henceforth, she`ll stand by you.
Copyright 2010
Light an altar candle
And give it to Mary
Just as she gave love to Jesus
Henceforth, she`ll stand by you.
Copyright 2010
GRAND MA`S LETTER TO AMERICA
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Awan Sarah Angob Mbaku née Nkumulung)
The boiling kettle is not a threat
Although it may hiss like a snake
And Awan knows that only too well
The kettle has hissed here in her house for years
It`s like Stephenson`s locomotive
Only it does not have the wheels
But who cares?
As long as it keeps Awan`s friends-for-ever-cats awake
So that they don`t snore in their sleep
Like the drunken sleepers in Chaucer`s prologue.
Who really cares?
Is it Abu Re Fotsoh who shares a name with Mary the mother of Jesus?
Is it Engonwei Neg
Or Ni Victor who jovially calls everybody, “Officer”?
Or Ma Esther who brings goodies such as elephant meat from the coast?
Or Ma Eli the great internationalist and peace maker born ahead of her time?
Or Ni John the successor who went on early retirement?
This immobile steam engine is a curiosity for us kids
That`s why we throng to Awan`s house when we hear
The kettle is on the fire
After getting Engoh to make tea for us
With water from the boiling black kettle
Awan lights her long pipe
And inserting it in her mouth, she begins to pull and puff
Then she returns round and asks: "What child is out there?
I want someone to came and write a book
For that my Fri in the Whiteman`s land
Is Azongho there? Ask him to bring paper and pen.
Then Awan begins to dictate her letter
This is now outside in the yard, under the coffee and banana trees
She on her stool and I the secretary on the large compound stone
"Tell Fri that I saw my bundle she sent
Tell her I thank her for it
Tell her I am greeting her
Tell her I want her to answer so that I hear her voice from here
I want to hear her answer me
Tell her that I saw the gown she sent
Ask her that is the Whiteman`s country so nice
Or why does she look so much fresher and younger and beautiful
But tell her she must not come back with a white man
Those people have money, yes
But their ways are not our ways
If he comes her, will he eat achu like us?
Will he go to the farm?
Tell my daughter that I am fine, I am doing well
But that is for today
Only God knows what he has in store for tomorrow
Tell her I do not know whether she will still meet me alive
When she returns in five years
But let`s put everything in God`s hands.
Tell her I salute her
Everybody here salutes her
And tell her I love her.”
Copyright 2010
(For Awan Sarah Angob Mbaku née Nkumulung)
The boiling kettle is not a threat
Although it may hiss like a snake
And Awan knows that only too well
The kettle has hissed here in her house for years
It`s like Stephenson`s locomotive
Only it does not have the wheels
But who cares?
As long as it keeps Awan`s friends-for-ever-cats awake
So that they don`t snore in their sleep
Like the drunken sleepers in Chaucer`s prologue.
Who really cares?
Is it Abu Re Fotsoh who shares a name with Mary the mother of Jesus?
Is it Engonwei Neg
Or Ni Victor who jovially calls everybody, “Officer”?
Or Ma Esther who brings goodies such as elephant meat from the coast?
Or Ma Eli the great internationalist and peace maker born ahead of her time?
Or Ni John the successor who went on early retirement?
This immobile steam engine is a curiosity for us kids
That`s why we throng to Awan`s house when we hear
The kettle is on the fire
After getting Engoh to make tea for us
With water from the boiling black kettle
Awan lights her long pipe
And inserting it in her mouth, she begins to pull and puff
Then she returns round and asks: "What child is out there?
I want someone to came and write a book
For that my Fri in the Whiteman`s land
Is Azongho there? Ask him to bring paper and pen.
Then Awan begins to dictate her letter
This is now outside in the yard, under the coffee and banana trees
She on her stool and I the secretary on the large compound stone
"Tell Fri that I saw my bundle she sent
Tell her I thank her for it
Tell her I am greeting her
Tell her I want her to answer so that I hear her voice from here
I want to hear her answer me
Tell her that I saw the gown she sent
Ask her that is the Whiteman`s country so nice
Or why does she look so much fresher and younger and beautiful
But tell her she must not come back with a white man
Those people have money, yes
But their ways are not our ways
If he comes her, will he eat achu like us?
Will he go to the farm?
Tell my daughter that I am fine, I am doing well
But that is for today
Only God knows what he has in store for tomorrow
Tell her I do not know whether she will still meet me alive
When she returns in five years
But let`s put everything in God`s hands.
Tell her I salute her
Everybody here salutes her
And tell her I love her.”
Copyright 2010
A QUESTION OF ENDURANCE
(For Lum Endurance)
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I pulled off the hollow bottom
Unaware of the enduring rout
But I knew how much I had endured
So when Endurance started talking
I retorted
"Oh, how I wish that instead of being so unenduring
She had exercised some endurance
And appreciated the endurable!".
Copyright 2010
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I pulled off the hollow bottom
Unaware of the enduring rout
But I knew how much I had endured
So when Endurance started talking
I retorted
"Oh, how I wish that instead of being so unenduring
She had exercised some endurance
And appreciated the endurable!".
Copyright 2010
MUM`S CLAY POTS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My mother made clay pots
With mud from Formenjuh`s place
She made them full of grace
And made sure she removed all the dots
On market days we carried them on our heads
Then arrayed them on the earth for all to see
The crowd puller they were
None returned home.
Copyright 2010
My mother made clay pots
With mud from Formenjuh`s place
She made them full of grace
And made sure she removed all the dots
On market days we carried them on our heads
Then arrayed them on the earth for all to see
The crowd puller they were
None returned home.
Copyright 2010
DIEU LE PERE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Il est dans le vide
Dans le néant
Mais il n`est ni alcoolique
Ni bucolique
Ni farfelu
Ni rocambolesque
Il s`appelle Dieu.
Copyright 2010
Il est dans le vide
Dans le néant
Mais il n`est ni alcoolique
Ni bucolique
Ni farfelu
Ni rocambolesque
Il s`appelle Dieu.
Copyright 2010
UN SI MAUVAIS VOYAGE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Elle tient son manteau de laine
Et les hiérohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifglyphes et le papyrus d`Egypte
Le sac Versace
Et la chemise YSL.
Regard lointain
Elle me rend triste
Elle était partie à Paris
Pour la chasse au trésor
Tout le monde le savait
On avait l`espoir
Mais voila tout ce qu`elle a ramené.
Copyright 2010
Elle tient son manteau de laine
Et les hiérohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifglyphes et le papyrus d`Egypte
Le sac Versace
Et la chemise YSL.
Regard lointain
Elle me rend triste
Elle était partie à Paris
Pour la chasse au trésor
Tout le monde le savait
On avait l`espoir
Mais voila tout ce qu`elle a ramené.
Copyright 2010
THE FAKE MESSENGER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We knew it from the very beginning
We all knew he was fake
His soiled rain boots said it all
Never mind the multi-coloured coat
It was stolen.
Copyright 2010
We knew it from the very beginning
We all knew he was fake
His soiled rain boots said it all
Never mind the multi-coloured coat
It was stolen.
Copyright 2010
DAY TIME SHELLS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
It was in an egg shell
Not an achoo-pounding mortar
So if you rise up to the altar
Take the shock, not the shell.
Copyright 2010
It was in an egg shell
Not an achoo-pounding mortar
So if you rise up to the altar
Take the shock, not the shell.
Copyright 2010
FAIRS ON THE WET FLOOR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I planted the decor
And I laid out the deck chairs
But I didn`t wet the floor
If in doubt, then let`s count the fairs.
Copyright 2010
I planted the decor
And I laid out the deck chairs
But I didn`t wet the floor
If in doubt, then let`s count the fairs.
Copyright 2010
HOLY WATER AS A HOSTAGE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I called
I did call
But you were nowhere to be found
It wasn`t the planted leaves stuck on the keyhole
No, it was the holy water
Holed up in the sacristy sink.
Copyright 2010
I called
I did call
But you were nowhere to be found
It wasn`t the planted leaves stuck on the keyhole
No, it was the holy water
Holed up in the sacristy sink.
Copyright 2010
SPEAKING UP FOR THE PASTOR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Why on earth didn`t he say so?
He should have
So that when it`s communion time
We should leave it to the pastor.
Copyright 2010
Why on earth didn`t he say so?
He should have
So that when it`s communion time
We should leave it to the pastor.
Copyright 2010
WATER ON THE ROCKS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I stood first
And caught first
So when he had the light rekindled
I had the holy water sprinkled.
Copyright 2010
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
I stood first
And caught first
So when he had the light rekindled
I had the holy water sprinkled.
Copyright 2010
A CUP FOR SAINT PETER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I wouldn`t for the life of me
Accept a beret
Berets are the next thing to death
I prefer Fez caps
St. Peter wore them
But mind you
You`re not St. Peter.
Copyright 2010
I wouldn`t for the life of me
Accept a beret
Berets are the next thing to death
I prefer Fez caps
St. Peter wore them
But mind you
You`re not St. Peter.
Copyright 2010
UNLEAVENED CATTLE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Iced sauce pans are not the best option
Unless you`re thinking of flying saucers
So if want to break even
Don`t sell your goat with the leash.
Copyright 2010
Iced sauce pans are not the best option
Unless you`re thinking of flying saucers
So if want to break even
Don`t sell your goat with the leash.
Copyright 2010
TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Mispa and Vera)
You`re both dark and shortish and smallish
Look-alike twins perhaps
Who knows?
Is not this life full of surprises?
What I want to know is whether you`re also bullish
And whether once in a while you indulge in raps
If not, tell us why this cold wind blows
Or why our world is always in crisis.
Copyright 2010
(For Mispa and Vera)
You`re both dark and shortish and smallish
Look-alike twins perhaps
Who knows?
Is not this life full of surprises?
What I want to know is whether you`re also bullish
And whether once in a while you indulge in raps
If not, tell us why this cold wind blows
Or why our world is always in crisis.
Copyright 2010
jeudi 28 octobre 2010
THE PINK HAND OF GOD
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My soul trembles
And my feet wobble
Weren`t it for God`s cement floor
I`d have fallen.
Now that I have no more troubles
And all other cannon fodders tumble
I`ll simply show detractors the door
So that next time they too can be sullen.
Copyright 2010
My soul trembles
And my feet wobble
Weren`t it for God`s cement floor
I`d have fallen.
Now that I have no more troubles
And all other cannon fodders tumble
I`ll simply show detractors the door
So that next time they too can be sullen.
Copyright 2010
YOUR DARK AURA
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I see your slithery toes
Like Prince Philip`s eyes
But I shun your hand of fame
When the voice that thundered speaks
All walking men will begin to crawl.
Copyright 2010
I see your slithery toes
Like Prince Philip`s eyes
But I shun your hand of fame
When the voice that thundered speaks
All walking men will begin to crawl.
Copyright 2010
THE MASTER`S WHIMS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The Station Master got up abruptly
And picking up his tool box
He broke up the stately ship
When the weary fishermen arrived
Threw was no one to help him down.
Copyright 2010
The Station Master got up abruptly
And picking up his tool box
He broke up the stately ship
When the weary fishermen arrived
Threw was no one to help him down.
Copyright 2010
THE WRONG VIBES
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Somewhere around here
I lost my bearings
Was I possessed or did I posses?
What insolence!
And what tribute!
Copyright 2010
Somewhere around here
I lost my bearings
Was I possessed or did I posses?
What insolence!
And what tribute!
Copyright 2010
THE WAKE UP CALL
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Teach us Lord, how to live
Teach us how to love
Show us where to walk
And order us all to sit up.
Copyright 2010
Teach us Lord, how to live
Teach us how to love
Show us where to walk
And order us all to sit up.
Copyright 2010
MY RAINBOW WARRIOR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
This heart of mine
Poor as it is, irks me sorely
Yet it`s my one and only rainbow
My untrodden queen
My shooting star.
Copyright 2010
This heart of mine
Poor as it is, irks me sorely
Yet it`s my one and only rainbow
My untrodden queen
My shooting star.
Copyright 2010
THE BALANCE SHEET
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Sweet sounds
Sweet sea urchins
Sour grapes
Sour stops
That`s the balance sheet.
Copyright 2010
Sweet sounds
Sweet sea urchins
Sour grapes
Sour stops
That`s the balance sheet.
Copyright 2010
ANGELIC PASTRIES
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I didn`t see the tapestries
But I touched the golden angel
I only regret she didn`t wear the violet label
That`s why the Lord made the double entries.
Copyright 2010
I didn`t see the tapestries
But I touched the golden angel
I only regret she didn`t wear the violet label
That`s why the Lord made the double entries.
Copyright 2010
CRAZY LIKE A FOX
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Forcham)
He must be crazy to think he can get away with it
He also doesn`t know he`s playing with fire
Does not it irk him that latecomers are clapping?
Or is he simply papering over thew cracks
Without leaning over backwards to let the cat in?
Not all theories come alive when we posit
Unless, of course, the sour grapes are on hire
I too am capable of demanding my pound with nothing dripping
At the end of the day leaving nothing in my tracks
So if he isn`t careful he`ll be the unfortunate linchpin.
Copyright 2010
(For Forcham)
He must be crazy to think he can get away with it
He also doesn`t know he`s playing with fire
Does not it irk him that latecomers are clapping?
Or is he simply papering over thew cracks
Without leaning over backwards to let the cat in?
Not all theories come alive when we posit
Unless, of course, the sour grapes are on hire
I too am capable of demanding my pound with nothing dripping
At the end of the day leaving nothing in my tracks
So if he isn`t careful he`ll be the unfortunate linchpin.
Copyright 2010
OSHIE TRAVEL NOTEBOOK
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Although it is often said that deaths are undesirable and regrettable, they nevertheless have their good points, one of them being that funerals are one of the biggest gatherers of long lost relations.
DEATH AS A GOOD THING
This was the experience I had recently when I joined a group of colleagues here at the University of Buea to travel to Oshie village in Njikwa Sub Division of the North West Region`s Momo Division. We took the trip to bury our colleague of the History Department, Dr. Ndambi Isaac Akenji, who passed away earlier in the year following an illness. Apart from being a colleague at the university, Dr. Ndambi had not only been a mate in High School (CCAST Bambili), but he had actually shared a room in the hostel with me. Our other room mates were Tambe Mathias Eno and Tangie Christopher Chwingum. Although room mates, we fell into two different camps when it came to talking about our former schools. Tambe, Tangie and I came from Sacred Heart College, Mankon, whereas Ndambi was a product of Presbyterian Teachers` Training College, Batibo.
WHERE IS OSHIE?
Although it was a sad event that took me to Oshie, I greatly looked forward to the trip because for many years – in fact since I was in primary school – I had always dreamed of going to Oshie or Ngie or Ngwo. Although this trip concerned only one of the three, it was better than not visiting any at all. So far I had only been as far as Acha Tugi (for those who know the area). So, for me, this day was D-Day, a milestone and a red letter day.
Oshie is a large village of some 20 000 inhabitants (eyewitness accounts) surrounded by Mundun II (Bafut Sub Division), Beba (Menchum Division), Ngie Sub Division, Ngwo (the other village which together with Oshie Makes up Njikwa Sub Division), as well as Konda, Ekweri and Bany villages. The largest quarter in Oshie is Bereje, incidentally where Dr Ndambi was born and buried. Bereje is also the home village of the Fon of Oshie as well as that of Mr Afambele Lucas who is CEO of City Trust Credit Fund and Board Member of NFC Bank. Ngam Fon Zchariah Awanga who is CEO of Samaritan Insurance Company and NFC Bank, as well as proprietor of the newly built state-of-art hotel in Bamenda, Azam, is also from Oshie. Oshie`s main market and market square are located in a quarter known as Edom. Oshie boats a Government Secondary School, an agricultural post and a police post. It also has a grand stand of its own, although it is Ngwo that is headquarters of Njikwa Sub Division.
THE JOURNEY TO OSHIE
Our trip was in two laps, the first of which took us from Buea to Bamenda and the second, from Bamenda to Oshie. When we arrived in Bamenda, it became a different ball game because on account of the bad roads, we had to hire sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles. At the Guarantee Express vicinity in Bamenda where our forward looking vehicles were waiting, I soon found that there were clearly more passengers than vehicles. So I decided to look for an alternative. That substitute was the transport company, UB-Relax, which specializes in ferrying passengers to and from Oshie, Ngwo and Ngie. Even so, the worst was still to come because first, I was given seat number “17” which was “standing position” at the back of the vehicle.
Tongue-twisting negotiations
Shortly after, I was frightened when a “good Samaritan” informed me that once we standing passengers were on board, the protective tarpaulin would be pulled over our heads and then we would be plunged into long hours of discomfort. Now I understood what was at stake. I rushed to the front to see if really and truly all the seats had been occupied. They were. Then I inspected the second row of cabin seats. They too were occupied. Discerning my worry, one of the loaders assured me he could arrange for one of the persons sitting in the cabin to give me his seat. Then he stood there staring at me. Concerned, I asked him whether there was anything wrong. He replied: “But sah, how you fit ask me so? Or you no want dat fine chair again?” I understood him. So, I searched in my pockets and gave him a five hundred franc note. He received it with ceremony, as if I had just handed him five thousand francs. Then he leapt into action. Unfortunately for me, none of the guys he approached accepted to give up his seat. My man returned to me and asked if he could propose a thousand francs to the “seat owner” so that the deal could be clinched quickly. I gave him the green light. He came back and told me the other man had rejected the thousand francs. I now approached the passenger myself. He shocked me by asking for two thousand five hundred francs. “But that is the fare to Oshie! That`s what I paid for my ticket. You mean I should pay twice to get to the place?”
His reply was curt, terse and cold: “But you no pay dat money na for me, sah. But if you no likam, you leavam. Na you be want fine chair. No be me”. With my back against the wall, I acquiesced and handed him the two thousand five hundred francs. He took the money with a broad smile of victory and immediately climbed up into the back seat where I was supposed to be. The park boy who had been negotiating for me walked up to me and said apologetically: ‘sorry, sah1”
“Don`t worry. It`s not your fault”, I reassured him. So away he went with the five thousand francs, and here was I condemned spending a total of five thousand five hundred francs just to get to Oshie, instead of the usual two thousand francs. The man who traded his seat was the jack pot winner because what happened was that the two thousand five hundred francs he took from was technically a refund of the same amount he had paid for his ticket. So, he was traveling free of charge! Nonetheless, I did not regret it, for as we traveled, it rained and I thought to myself: “Imagine what would have happened had you loved money more that your personal safety”
One hundred kilometers to nowhere
As we drove through Mankon, Ngyen Mbo, Mbengwi,Tad, Acha Tugi and the rest of the places, I could not help noting that not much had changed along the road, in terms of infrastructure and other development parameters since I was last there over twenty years ago. My comment about the lack of change is in comparison with the last time I traveled along the road to the Acha Tugi Presbyterian Hospital. That was when I was admitted there while in Primary school in Bambili. To this day, the road through Mbengwi is still an earthen stretch that raises dust in the dry season and becomes muddy and slippery in the rainy season. As we drove on, one age-old question kept coming back and nagging me: “Is this really the road that led to and passed through the home of a former prime minister and Vice President of the Republic?” Was not the tarring of that road the least a politician could have bequeathed to his people?
One tree, several branches
Highlights of this journey included the branch from the highway to Njindom, the birth place of Former National Education Secretary of State Yunga Teghen Joseph and the late Veteran Journalist Luke Ananga. I also noted the branch leading to Guneku village, said to be the largest village in Mbengwi Sub Division. It is ruled by Fon Fomuki who is considered to be by far the most modern and most widely traveled Fon in that Sun Division. He also has a beautiful palace that many visitors pause to admire. The branch to Kob, the village of the outspoken lone parliamentarian for Mbenwi, the SDF member Peter Fonso was unmistakable because at the entrance to the village, there is a conspicuous sign board that announces: “Welcome to Kob Village.” Further on along the road, another sign board heralds:”GSS Tienechung”, a Ngie Sub Division village that shares a border with Acha Tugi Village in Mbengwi Sub Division.
Down memory lane
When we got to Tad market, the whole place hit my entire being with old memories of the time when while I was in primary school and hospitalized at the nearby Presbyterian Hospital in Acha Tugi. I remembered that at the time, my mother did her heavy shopping at that market. What happened was that I had just passed my promotion exams from Class 5 to 6, at Saint Francis School, Bambili, popularly known in local language as “Ntsewi”. Unfortunately, during the long holidays of that year, I fell ill and was taken to Acha Tugi. In the end I spent the whole of the new first term in hospital. When I resumed school at the beginning of the second term, I worked hard and passed the second term examination. Although I also passed the promotion exam, my teacher in that year, Mr John Njende decided that I should repeat Class Six because according to him I “could have done better”. He managed to convince my father and so it was two against one. I acquiesced. Perhaps it worked for me because apart from occupying first position in the three exams of class six of that year, I also passed the common entrance exam and left for college from class six, and not seven.
As we drove up towards the hospital on this trip to Oshie, I noticed that the overpowering reddish and harsh earth on either side of the road had not changed one bit. As we went past the main entrance into the hospital compound, I caught a glimpse of the same yard on which I as a little boy of ten years played with fellow patients of my age. I remembered Nurse Naomi who worked in our ward and with whom I fell madly in love at the time, although I was so small. I remember that even after I had left hospital and returned to school, I used to write to her and post the letters. She replied once in a while. But somewhere along the line, we no longer communicated with each other. I can`t remember now who it was that developed cold feet first. But I still remember what Naomi looked like. I still see her pushing the medicine distribution trolley up to my bed and handing me my medicines. When it was Nurse Naomi who gave us drugs, bitter ones such as quinine were no longer bitter to me. Far from it, they suddenly acquired a sweetness that made me smile from ear to ear.
As we exited from Achu Tugi someone pointed out to me the Acha Cattle market which I was told was the largest cattle market not only in Mbengwi Sub Division but in the whole of Momo. I was made to understand that on market days, hundreds of millions of francs changed hands at the market. The trouble is that on this particular day, we were not fortunate enough to behold a single cow: it was not a market day.
GOODBYE TO OSHIE
My stay in Oshie was brief: three hours. After spending some time at the compound of the departed Dr. Ndambi, I took my leave, one of the reasons being that I was determined to make the most of a short trip and see as much of Oshie as I could. I hired a bike to take me to the Fon`s palace. When we got there I was shocked that there was not a single soul in sight. When I asked, a guarded respondent simply said:”We have had some problems here in the village which we are currently solving. But if you really need the Fon`s attention, we won`t lack someone to whom you can talk.” I got the message and said no more. Oshie was burying two illustrious sons on that day, the other one being Abiyah Benson Ofa, a young and dynamic Petroleum Engineer who had died after a brief illness. His father was at Dr. Ndambi`s funeral, so I sought out the mother and consoled her and then took my leave. As I left, I felt disappointed because throughout my stay in Oshie, I asked about a classmate of mine, called Abanda with whom I went to primary school in Bambili. I could not remember his first name. All I could tell those willing to help me was that he lived with his elder brother, also called Abanda, at the Camp of the Agric Farm in Bambui. The brother was a driver for the Agric Farm. I could not have forgotten this classmate of mine because together with a few other class mates, we used to pluck pears on the road from school, bury them in nearby farms and then dig them up two or three days later when they were ripe. We then had a good meal of them. To say the truth, Abanda was one person to whom it didn`t matter whether a pear was ripe or not before he ate it. So we nick named him: “Abanda raw pear eater”.
TRAVELING WITH ODAIN
I got a bike to take me to the Market Square which is the departure point for Bamenda-bound vehicles. As luck would have it, I found a four wheel double cabin waiting. I joined another passenger in the back seat, a woman. The driver who introduced himself as Odain was a contract transporter for one of the national brewery companies. I was surprised that when more passengers came and even offered him more money, he declined their offer on the grounds that his principle consisted of “never overloading”. He introduced his mate to me as a marketing student from the Bambui Polytechnic currently on internship with him. Odain was fun to travel with because he cracked jokes and had a good sense of humour. He also played good music in the vehicle. Well, “good’ because it rang bells with me. Of particular note was the music of Joe Mboule, including many tunes that topped the charts in the 1980s, particularly the beginning of that decade when I was a student at the Bilingual Series of the institution and planning to travel to France in the company of my classmates for one year of French studies. I remembered that in that year in Bambili, my friend and brother Simon Tangi was just like me, a big Joe Mboule fan. Joe Mboule`s music also reminded me of his daughter, Njoh Mboule, who was my student and supervisee in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Buea in the academic year just ended.
When we got to the Sanyere market, the woman who sat with me at the back of the vehicle suddenly said she was terminating her journey with us and would no longer get to Bamenda in our company. When the driver asked her how else she would get to Bamenda when there was no other vehicle around. She pointed to a hearse that was packed ahead of us and hammering loud funeral music. “But that is a vehicle for transporting dead people, madam!’ I exclaimed. “So what?” she interjected, rather defiantly. I thought she was joking. But she was not, for she marched straight to the funeral van and climbed overboard with a look of self satisfaction. Funeral music boomed from the vehicle.
FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE BIR
After the woman left, Odain suggested we get out of the vehicle and have “one for the road”. I welcomed the idea because he looked tired to me and needed a break. He looked like a very popular man out there because everyone seemed to know him. When I put it to him, he replied: “But of course, this is my road. I have been supplying drinks to them for years.” Odain took us to what appeared to be the hottest spot in Sanyere. It was a fairly modern bar that also served as a restaurant. It would appear the proprietor was popularly known as Sam. We were served by two of his daughters, both of them physically looking alike and both also pretty. Before I had time to make any plans about one of them, three young and energetic men joined us and two other members of their fold who were already there eating and drinking. It turned out that they were members of the BIR (Brigade d`Intervention Rapide), and army unit put in place in trouble spots of the country as a deterrent to crime. Of course, being ‘local residents” too, they knew everyone in the room apart from the new ones like me. When I asked about the BIR elements, someone told me:” Oh no, they`re useful. Ever since their arrival, crime wave here has dropped remarkably.”
It was already getting dark when we got to Sanyere. At the time we left for Bamenda, it was even darker. However, we drove and while in Mbengwi, we decided to have a break. So Odain parked the vehicle and we all got out to stretch our legs. I was particularly attracted by some bottle dance music from the collection by Ni Ken coming from a nearby bar. That was where I settled down for my drink. Odain decided to sleep off some fatigue in the vehicle. Later, his mate joined me. At the time I was ready to leave, Odain was not quite ready. So I left them in Mbengwi and boarded another vehicle. Thus ended my love story with Oshie.
Copyright 2010
Although it is often said that deaths are undesirable and regrettable, they nevertheless have their good points, one of them being that funerals are one of the biggest gatherers of long lost relations.
DEATH AS A GOOD THING
This was the experience I had recently when I joined a group of colleagues here at the University of Buea to travel to Oshie village in Njikwa Sub Division of the North West Region`s Momo Division. We took the trip to bury our colleague of the History Department, Dr. Ndambi Isaac Akenji, who passed away earlier in the year following an illness. Apart from being a colleague at the university, Dr. Ndambi had not only been a mate in High School (CCAST Bambili), but he had actually shared a room in the hostel with me. Our other room mates were Tambe Mathias Eno and Tangie Christopher Chwingum. Although room mates, we fell into two different camps when it came to talking about our former schools. Tambe, Tangie and I came from Sacred Heart College, Mankon, whereas Ndambi was a product of Presbyterian Teachers` Training College, Batibo.
WHERE IS OSHIE?
Although it was a sad event that took me to Oshie, I greatly looked forward to the trip because for many years – in fact since I was in primary school – I had always dreamed of going to Oshie or Ngie or Ngwo. Although this trip concerned only one of the three, it was better than not visiting any at all. So far I had only been as far as Acha Tugi (for those who know the area). So, for me, this day was D-Day, a milestone and a red letter day.
Oshie is a large village of some 20 000 inhabitants (eyewitness accounts) surrounded by Mundun II (Bafut Sub Division), Beba (Menchum Division), Ngie Sub Division, Ngwo (the other village which together with Oshie Makes up Njikwa Sub Division), as well as Konda, Ekweri and Bany villages. The largest quarter in Oshie is Bereje, incidentally where Dr Ndambi was born and buried. Bereje is also the home village of the Fon of Oshie as well as that of Mr Afambele Lucas who is CEO of City Trust Credit Fund and Board Member of NFC Bank. Ngam Fon Zchariah Awanga who is CEO of Samaritan Insurance Company and NFC Bank, as well as proprietor of the newly built state-of-art hotel in Bamenda, Azam, is also from Oshie. Oshie`s main market and market square are located in a quarter known as Edom. Oshie boats a Government Secondary School, an agricultural post and a police post. It also has a grand stand of its own, although it is Ngwo that is headquarters of Njikwa Sub Division.
THE JOURNEY TO OSHIE
Our trip was in two laps, the first of which took us from Buea to Bamenda and the second, from Bamenda to Oshie. When we arrived in Bamenda, it became a different ball game because on account of the bad roads, we had to hire sturdy four-wheel drive vehicles. At the Guarantee Express vicinity in Bamenda where our forward looking vehicles were waiting, I soon found that there were clearly more passengers than vehicles. So I decided to look for an alternative. That substitute was the transport company, UB-Relax, which specializes in ferrying passengers to and from Oshie, Ngwo and Ngie. Even so, the worst was still to come because first, I was given seat number “17” which was “standing position” at the back of the vehicle.
Tongue-twisting negotiations
Shortly after, I was frightened when a “good Samaritan” informed me that once we standing passengers were on board, the protective tarpaulin would be pulled over our heads and then we would be plunged into long hours of discomfort. Now I understood what was at stake. I rushed to the front to see if really and truly all the seats had been occupied. They were. Then I inspected the second row of cabin seats. They too were occupied. Discerning my worry, one of the loaders assured me he could arrange for one of the persons sitting in the cabin to give me his seat. Then he stood there staring at me. Concerned, I asked him whether there was anything wrong. He replied: “But sah, how you fit ask me so? Or you no want dat fine chair again?” I understood him. So, I searched in my pockets and gave him a five hundred franc note. He received it with ceremony, as if I had just handed him five thousand francs. Then he leapt into action. Unfortunately for me, none of the guys he approached accepted to give up his seat. My man returned to me and asked if he could propose a thousand francs to the “seat owner” so that the deal could be clinched quickly. I gave him the green light. He came back and told me the other man had rejected the thousand francs. I now approached the passenger myself. He shocked me by asking for two thousand five hundred francs. “But that is the fare to Oshie! That`s what I paid for my ticket. You mean I should pay twice to get to the place?”
His reply was curt, terse and cold: “But you no pay dat money na for me, sah. But if you no likam, you leavam. Na you be want fine chair. No be me”. With my back against the wall, I acquiesced and handed him the two thousand five hundred francs. He took the money with a broad smile of victory and immediately climbed up into the back seat where I was supposed to be. The park boy who had been negotiating for me walked up to me and said apologetically: ‘sorry, sah1”
“Don`t worry. It`s not your fault”, I reassured him. So away he went with the five thousand francs, and here was I condemned spending a total of five thousand five hundred francs just to get to Oshie, instead of the usual two thousand francs. The man who traded his seat was the jack pot winner because what happened was that the two thousand five hundred francs he took from was technically a refund of the same amount he had paid for his ticket. So, he was traveling free of charge! Nonetheless, I did not regret it, for as we traveled, it rained and I thought to myself: “Imagine what would have happened had you loved money more that your personal safety”
One hundred kilometers to nowhere
As we drove through Mankon, Ngyen Mbo, Mbengwi,Tad, Acha Tugi and the rest of the places, I could not help noting that not much had changed along the road, in terms of infrastructure and other development parameters since I was last there over twenty years ago. My comment about the lack of change is in comparison with the last time I traveled along the road to the Acha Tugi Presbyterian Hospital. That was when I was admitted there while in Primary school in Bambili. To this day, the road through Mbengwi is still an earthen stretch that raises dust in the dry season and becomes muddy and slippery in the rainy season. As we drove on, one age-old question kept coming back and nagging me: “Is this really the road that led to and passed through the home of a former prime minister and Vice President of the Republic?” Was not the tarring of that road the least a politician could have bequeathed to his people?
One tree, several branches
Highlights of this journey included the branch from the highway to Njindom, the birth place of Former National Education Secretary of State Yunga Teghen Joseph and the late Veteran Journalist Luke Ananga. I also noted the branch leading to Guneku village, said to be the largest village in Mbengwi Sub Division. It is ruled by Fon Fomuki who is considered to be by far the most modern and most widely traveled Fon in that Sun Division. He also has a beautiful palace that many visitors pause to admire. The branch to Kob, the village of the outspoken lone parliamentarian for Mbenwi, the SDF member Peter Fonso was unmistakable because at the entrance to the village, there is a conspicuous sign board that announces: “Welcome to Kob Village.” Further on along the road, another sign board heralds:”GSS Tienechung”, a Ngie Sub Division village that shares a border with Acha Tugi Village in Mbengwi Sub Division.
Down memory lane
When we got to Tad market, the whole place hit my entire being with old memories of the time when while I was in primary school and hospitalized at the nearby Presbyterian Hospital in Acha Tugi. I remembered that at the time, my mother did her heavy shopping at that market. What happened was that I had just passed my promotion exams from Class 5 to 6, at Saint Francis School, Bambili, popularly known in local language as “Ntsewi”. Unfortunately, during the long holidays of that year, I fell ill and was taken to Acha Tugi. In the end I spent the whole of the new first term in hospital. When I resumed school at the beginning of the second term, I worked hard and passed the second term examination. Although I also passed the promotion exam, my teacher in that year, Mr John Njende decided that I should repeat Class Six because according to him I “could have done better”. He managed to convince my father and so it was two against one. I acquiesced. Perhaps it worked for me because apart from occupying first position in the three exams of class six of that year, I also passed the common entrance exam and left for college from class six, and not seven.
As we drove up towards the hospital on this trip to Oshie, I noticed that the overpowering reddish and harsh earth on either side of the road had not changed one bit. As we went past the main entrance into the hospital compound, I caught a glimpse of the same yard on which I as a little boy of ten years played with fellow patients of my age. I remembered Nurse Naomi who worked in our ward and with whom I fell madly in love at the time, although I was so small. I remember that even after I had left hospital and returned to school, I used to write to her and post the letters. She replied once in a while. But somewhere along the line, we no longer communicated with each other. I can`t remember now who it was that developed cold feet first. But I still remember what Naomi looked like. I still see her pushing the medicine distribution trolley up to my bed and handing me my medicines. When it was Nurse Naomi who gave us drugs, bitter ones such as quinine were no longer bitter to me. Far from it, they suddenly acquired a sweetness that made me smile from ear to ear.
As we exited from Achu Tugi someone pointed out to me the Acha Cattle market which I was told was the largest cattle market not only in Mbengwi Sub Division but in the whole of Momo. I was made to understand that on market days, hundreds of millions of francs changed hands at the market. The trouble is that on this particular day, we were not fortunate enough to behold a single cow: it was not a market day.
GOODBYE TO OSHIE
My stay in Oshie was brief: three hours. After spending some time at the compound of the departed Dr. Ndambi, I took my leave, one of the reasons being that I was determined to make the most of a short trip and see as much of Oshie as I could. I hired a bike to take me to the Fon`s palace. When we got there I was shocked that there was not a single soul in sight. When I asked, a guarded respondent simply said:”We have had some problems here in the village which we are currently solving. But if you really need the Fon`s attention, we won`t lack someone to whom you can talk.” I got the message and said no more. Oshie was burying two illustrious sons on that day, the other one being Abiyah Benson Ofa, a young and dynamic Petroleum Engineer who had died after a brief illness. His father was at Dr. Ndambi`s funeral, so I sought out the mother and consoled her and then took my leave. As I left, I felt disappointed because throughout my stay in Oshie, I asked about a classmate of mine, called Abanda with whom I went to primary school in Bambili. I could not remember his first name. All I could tell those willing to help me was that he lived with his elder brother, also called Abanda, at the Camp of the Agric Farm in Bambui. The brother was a driver for the Agric Farm. I could not have forgotten this classmate of mine because together with a few other class mates, we used to pluck pears on the road from school, bury them in nearby farms and then dig them up two or three days later when they were ripe. We then had a good meal of them. To say the truth, Abanda was one person to whom it didn`t matter whether a pear was ripe or not before he ate it. So we nick named him: “Abanda raw pear eater”.
TRAVELING WITH ODAIN
I got a bike to take me to the Market Square which is the departure point for Bamenda-bound vehicles. As luck would have it, I found a four wheel double cabin waiting. I joined another passenger in the back seat, a woman. The driver who introduced himself as Odain was a contract transporter for one of the national brewery companies. I was surprised that when more passengers came and even offered him more money, he declined their offer on the grounds that his principle consisted of “never overloading”. He introduced his mate to me as a marketing student from the Bambui Polytechnic currently on internship with him. Odain was fun to travel with because he cracked jokes and had a good sense of humour. He also played good music in the vehicle. Well, “good’ because it rang bells with me. Of particular note was the music of Joe Mboule, including many tunes that topped the charts in the 1980s, particularly the beginning of that decade when I was a student at the Bilingual Series of the institution and planning to travel to France in the company of my classmates for one year of French studies. I remembered that in that year in Bambili, my friend and brother Simon Tangi was just like me, a big Joe Mboule fan. Joe Mboule`s music also reminded me of his daughter, Njoh Mboule, who was my student and supervisee in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Buea in the academic year just ended.
When we got to the Sanyere market, the woman who sat with me at the back of the vehicle suddenly said she was terminating her journey with us and would no longer get to Bamenda in our company. When the driver asked her how else she would get to Bamenda when there was no other vehicle around. She pointed to a hearse that was packed ahead of us and hammering loud funeral music. “But that is a vehicle for transporting dead people, madam!’ I exclaimed. “So what?” she interjected, rather defiantly. I thought she was joking. But she was not, for she marched straight to the funeral van and climbed overboard with a look of self satisfaction. Funeral music boomed from the vehicle.
FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE BIR
After the woman left, Odain suggested we get out of the vehicle and have “one for the road”. I welcomed the idea because he looked tired to me and needed a break. He looked like a very popular man out there because everyone seemed to know him. When I put it to him, he replied: “But of course, this is my road. I have been supplying drinks to them for years.” Odain took us to what appeared to be the hottest spot in Sanyere. It was a fairly modern bar that also served as a restaurant. It would appear the proprietor was popularly known as Sam. We were served by two of his daughters, both of them physically looking alike and both also pretty. Before I had time to make any plans about one of them, three young and energetic men joined us and two other members of their fold who were already there eating and drinking. It turned out that they were members of the BIR (Brigade d`Intervention Rapide), and army unit put in place in trouble spots of the country as a deterrent to crime. Of course, being ‘local residents” too, they knew everyone in the room apart from the new ones like me. When I asked about the BIR elements, someone told me:” Oh no, they`re useful. Ever since their arrival, crime wave here has dropped remarkably.”
It was already getting dark when we got to Sanyere. At the time we left for Bamenda, it was even darker. However, we drove and while in Mbengwi, we decided to have a break. So Odain parked the vehicle and we all got out to stretch our legs. I was particularly attracted by some bottle dance music from the collection by Ni Ken coming from a nearby bar. That was where I settled down for my drink. Odain decided to sleep off some fatigue in the vehicle. Later, his mate joined me. At the time I was ready to leave, Odain was not quite ready. So I left them in Mbengwi and boarded another vehicle. Thus ended my love story with Oshie.
Copyright 2010
GOD IN REVERSE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
To contemplate God`s world
And see it in its right perspective
Stand alone in the moonlight like a third
And recount the entire universe in retrospect.
Copyright 2010
To contemplate God`s world
And see it in its right perspective
Stand alone in the moonlight like a third
And recount the entire universe in retrospect.
Copyright 2010
ALONE AGAINST THE STRANGE WOMAN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
An unknown woman stopped by
That was last week
Visibly shaken, she wept
And pursued singing flies all night.
In vain I sang the lullaby
And with eyes full of sleep
I stood up and crept
Then rising, she boasted she ha king Kong`s might.
Copyright 2010
An unknown woman stopped by
That was last week
Visibly shaken, she wept
And pursued singing flies all night.
In vain I sang the lullaby
And with eyes full of sleep
I stood up and crept
Then rising, she boasted she ha king Kong`s might.
Copyright 2010
mercredi 27 octobre 2010
ELEVEN WOMEN, ONE WHIG
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Oh, my!
We may very well be many enough for a football team
But to be fair to my learned friends
We`re also all women of the bench
Placed here at the disposable of Counsel
Yes, so what if we`re legion
Heterogeneous, yet homogeneous?
We lawyers don`t lie
Because we hold the scales of justice so dear
A world of justice is always our dream
Especially with our `Ma` in the game
Tort or equity, you name them and we wrench
We work closely with Counsel
For Therefore as women we`re heterogeneous and as lawyers we`re homogeneous.
Copyright 2010
Oh, my!
We may very well be many enough for a football team
But to be fair to my learned friends
We`re also all women of the bench
Placed here at the disposable of Counsel
Yes, so what if we`re legion
Heterogeneous, yet homogeneous?
We lawyers don`t lie
Because we hold the scales of justice so dear
A world of justice is always our dream
Especially with our `Ma` in the game
Tort or equity, you name them and we wrench
We work closely with Counsel
For Therefore as women we`re heterogeneous and as lawyers we`re homogeneous.
Copyright 2010
YOURS BY RIGHT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Hannah)
You want it now?
Or should I put it back in the fridge?
It`s ready and waiting, you know
So if you want it
All you have to do is ask
And it will be yours on a platter of gold.
If you like, take it as a vow
But surely one without a ridge
It`s a treasure trove we all here in the library know
If you feel that`s too much of a task
Then ask the high profile faculty officer to return to the fold.
Copyright 2010
(For Hannah)
You want it now?
Or should I put it back in the fridge?
It`s ready and waiting, you know
So if you want it
All you have to do is ask
And it will be yours on a platter of gold.
If you like, take it as a vow
But surely one without a ridge
It`s a treasure trove we all here in the library know
If you feel that`s too much of a task
Then ask the high profile faculty officer to return to the fold.
Copyright 2010
dimanche 24 octobre 2010
THE ELECTION RESULT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Our sainted candidate lost the election
He failed to win the voters` confidence
Or did he?
He did not garner the majority of votes
And then to make matters worse
It was first past the pole
No proportional representation
So the minority groups were
Dwarfed,minimized, belittled, trampled upon
Did we ourselves pray about it?
I mean before we went out to to the polls?
Or did we just jump into the arena
Like Milla did
The day the World Cup started going badly for him?
Before we lost the election
We had lost our way already
We were going the wrong way
Yes, we carried the right placards
But we went the wrong way
They carried the wrong placards
But went the right way
That`s why they won
And that`s why we lost.
Copyright 2010
Our sainted candidate lost the election
He failed to win the voters` confidence
Or did he?
He did not garner the majority of votes
And then to make matters worse
It was first past the pole
No proportional representation
So the minority groups were
Dwarfed,minimized, belittled, trampled upon
Did we ourselves pray about it?
I mean before we went out to to the polls?
Or did we just jump into the arena
Like Milla did
The day the World Cup started going badly for him?
Before we lost the election
We had lost our way already
We were going the wrong way
Yes, we carried the right placards
But we went the wrong way
They carried the wrong placards
But went the right way
That`s why they won
And that`s why we lost.
Copyright 2010
OU VA LE CAMEROUN?
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Le Cameroun
Ce cher Cameroun sera debout
Il se lèvera
Non, mieux encore il se relèvera comme un vrai lion
Et ce ne sont pas les autres qui le feront pour nous
Ce ne sont ni les Français, ni les Britanniques
Chiches qu`ils sont !
Ce sont les vaillants Camerounais que nous sommes.
Ce sont également les Camerounais de la diaspora
Même si aujourd`hui ils font preuve de langue de bois.
Alors oublions toutes les promesses de Cancun
A bas le théâtre des marabouts
Mais attention, que chacun porte seul, tout seul son lot
Le compte é rebours s`est déjà annoncé pour les lampions
Peu importe que l`on soit usé ou frais
Le Jour-J, lorsque les paysans seront partis à la recherche d`engrais venu de Magba
Aucun Camerounais ne se souviendra des pauvres Polonais.
Copyright 2010
Le Cameroun
Ce cher Cameroun sera debout
Il se lèvera
Non, mieux encore il se relèvera comme un vrai lion
Et ce ne sont pas les autres qui le feront pour nous
Ce ne sont ni les Français, ni les Britanniques
Chiches qu`ils sont !
Ce sont les vaillants Camerounais que nous sommes.
Ce sont également les Camerounais de la diaspora
Même si aujourd`hui ils font preuve de langue de bois.
Alors oublions toutes les promesses de Cancun
A bas le théâtre des marabouts
Mais attention, que chacun porte seul, tout seul son lot
Le compte é rebours s`est déjà annoncé pour les lampions
Peu importe que l`on soit usé ou frais
Le Jour-J, lorsque les paysans seront partis à la recherche d`engrais venu de Magba
Aucun Camerounais ne se souviendra des pauvres Polonais.
Copyright 2010
samedi 23 octobre 2010
ON THE LUTHER KING TRAIL
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Br. Rodney Martin Luther who served faithfully for years at the John Loughborough School in London)
Luther King wasn`t alone
He had people with him
He was flanked
So when the bullet rang out
And he was hit
He fell in friendly arms.
Luther knew nothing about how to clone
Even so, he could freely use God`s vim
That way, he was able to bind lives that were flaked
He was also able to stand the rout
The shooting became a hit
Only because this time he fell in God`s arms.
Copyright 2010
(For Br. Rodney Martin Luther who served faithfully for years at the John Loughborough School in London)
Luther King wasn`t alone
He had people with him
He was flanked
So when the bullet rang out
And he was hit
He fell in friendly arms.
Luther knew nothing about how to clone
Even so, he could freely use God`s vim
That way, he was able to bind lives that were flaked
He was also able to stand the rout
The shooting became a hit
Only because this time he fell in God`s arms.
Copyright 2010
vendredi 22 octobre 2010
THE CHANGING FACE OF BUEA
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
There is a saying that we live in a changing world. Other similar aphorisms state that we live in changing times. Some go on to link the process of change to progress or deterioration, growth or depreciation, development or underdevelopment, pros or cons, etc. So it is some kind of double edged sword, being able to cut both ways. Its mere existence confirms the law of opposites in nature; up and down, day and night, man and woman, good and evil, as well as God and Satan, to name those. But the key question is: What is change?
Well, the Global Association of Productivity and Efficiency Professionals views change as “something that presses us out of our comfort zone. It is destiny-filtered, heart-grown, and faith-built. Change is inequitable, not a respecter of persons. Change is for the better or for the worst depending on where you view it. Change has an adjustment period which varies on the individual. It is uncomfortable, for changing from one state to the next upsets our control over outcomes. Change has a ripping effect on those who won`t let go. Flex is the key. Even a roller coaster ride can be fun if you know where to lean and create new balance within the change. Change is need when all the props and practices of the past no longer work. Change is not comforted by the statement, `just hand in there` but with the statement, `you can make it`. We don`t grow in retreat, but through endurance. Change isn`t fixed by crying, worrying, or mental tread milling. Change is won by victors; not victims; and that choice is ours.”
That being the case, I believe I can safely proclaim that change is taking place in Buea. In other words, Buea is changing.
The Mayor at work
Buea Council Mayor Mbella Moki Charles is effecting change within the Council area. He is at war. He has launched an all-out war against anarchically constructed architectural structures. A few days ago I spotted him in the Molyko area, at the University of Junction, to be more precise, surrounded by a crowd of curious supporters and distraught detractors. He was pinpointing for destruction to his technicians off licences which he felt were too close to the university premises. ‘This is a university!” he said. The owners of the businesses have been notified that they have some days of grace within which they must relocate their structures or face the full force of the law. If anyone doubted the seriousness of the mayor`s threats, such can hardly be the case now because prior to the off licence incident at the U.B. Junction, his men had already been at work pulling down businesses that were operating from containers. The mayor has said he does not want to see any containers in public places. Right now, it is difficult to find any more container businesses in the town. But of course, since change is a painful process, there are those who are in tears because their businesses have been ruined and they do not know where to go from here. Nonetheless, when one contemplates the empty spaces left by the displaced containers, one notices some beauty and sanity in the environment, which proves that sometimes it may be necessary to force change when it is slow in coming.
The new market
What one might call a modern market is currently being constructed in Buea Town. It is a rejuvenation of the erstwhile Buea Town market, just at the bend before the Buea Town Motor Park and the Council premises. The new market which is coming up strongly in terms of construction is a far cry from the huts and shacks that are today receding but used to stand tall like veritable eye sores to the onlooker. As the new buildings approach the sky, the old ones which have had their day are being sidelines and marginalized and dwarfed. I am sure they will ultimately be put down and kissed goodbye for good. The new market comprises purpose built structures with an imposing front façade storey building. I understand that, traders and market men and women are already reserving sheds in the market for fear that they may not be accommodated if they wait for completion of construction work. When the market becomes operational, it will not only mark a sea change from the existing markets at the OIC, Muea, Mile 16 and Mile 14 – all of them within the Buea Council area, but also for those outside of its jurisdiction such as the one in Mutengene.
Traveling to Mile 17
Significant changes have taken place along the road to Mile 17 from downtown Mutengene, in the last one year, if not even the last six months. The National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) regional building which was constructed at Mile 17 some years ago and which immediately became the pride of the town is still today a jewel in the crown. Its large and sumptuous banquet hall has served as the venue of many a conference and wedding, such as the recent one between Umenei and Achu. Of recent, the Lobe Cooperative Credit Union has also put its mark on the place by putting up a four storey building just down the Road from the petrol Station and just before the CNPS building as you go down towards Mile 16. At night, the building is a marvel to look at with its glittering corridor and bedroom lights. Hardly anyone drives that way without admiring the building and asking questions about it. Not far from it, a similar building is coming out of the earth. That is not all about the new buildings, for in Dibanda (Mile 14), the international NGO, Habitat, is putting up some dozen living houses, it would appear this is as a contribution to the fight against poverty through the provision of low cost housing. Although the first dozen or so are near completion, it is not known how interested candidates will be made to acquire them.
A gas station near you
In the last few months, Buea has had the joy of welcoming two new petrol stations within its jurisdiction. The first to come was BOCOM, located just after TEXACO Mile 17 on the way to Mile 16 and the other is SOCOAME which is in Mile 14. When BOCOM came, motorists heaved a sigh of relief because they had been having tough times with congestion at the then lone Texaco Station. Furthermore, the station attendants were said to be laid back and unwelcoming. When BOCOM came in, it made them sit up. SOCOAME has now come to make everyone sit up, for competition is really keen.
The chariot of the people
Surely, the name `chariot` must be a special one here in Buea, if one considers the number of users gunning for it. The appellation had for years been associated with Epasa Moto, ‘The Chariot of the Gods”, and a reference to the legendary power behind the Buea-located Cameroon Mountain. Then came the University of Buea`s Journalism and Mass Communication`s Chariot Radio and Chariot TV. Now, a new hotel has opened in the town under the name of the Chariot Hotel. This latest institution is not just a hotel; it is a high profile three star structure, with a well chosen site and clearly defined architectural options. It has beautiful and spacious rooms and a swimming pool as well as conference rooms. In fact, that is where all the big events in Buea needing hotel or catering facilities now go to. Perhaps this is a welcomed move, considering that the once leading hotel in Buea even before independence, the one and only Buea Mountain Hotel, was allowed to depreciate, crumble and die some years ago.
Kumba as the extra mile
If you come as far as Buea nowadays, then you really must continue to Kumba, popularly known as K-Town. The road to Kumba that used to be a nightmare is today simply a pleasure ride. When I plied the new look road for the first time last year, I just felt like making more and more of the same trips. The road was widened and tarred right to Kumba and inaugurated by none other than the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang. That was one of the first major activities he performed after being appointed Prime Minister and Head of Government in June 2009. However, after the pleasurable ride to K-Town, one immediately feels anger and frustration when one enters the town. This is because the state of the roads in the town leaves a lot to be desired, in comparison with the Buea-Kumba road.
Putting it all together
After decades of apparent neglect and sidelining as well as an unavowed reluctance to grow and experience change on the part of the town itself, Buea seems to be waking up from slumber at last, or at the very least, stirring. But for the town to get up and perhaps also rise to the rank of a City Council just like Limbe and Kumba which although only Divisional headquarters whereas Buea is a regional headquarters, got there before it, all hands must be on deck. The job can not be left to the indigenes or the local Council; no, anybody who has anything to do with Buea must put his or her hand to the plough. Of particular interest here is the group of Cameroonians in the Diaspora who are always more ready to offer criticisms from their distant sanctuaries of fast cars and quick dollars, than really take the bull by the horns and make a lasting contribution and impression.
Copyright
There is a saying that we live in a changing world. Other similar aphorisms state that we live in changing times. Some go on to link the process of change to progress or deterioration, growth or depreciation, development or underdevelopment, pros or cons, etc. So it is some kind of double edged sword, being able to cut both ways. Its mere existence confirms the law of opposites in nature; up and down, day and night, man and woman, good and evil, as well as God and Satan, to name those. But the key question is: What is change?
Well, the Global Association of Productivity and Efficiency Professionals views change as “something that presses us out of our comfort zone. It is destiny-filtered, heart-grown, and faith-built. Change is inequitable, not a respecter of persons. Change is for the better or for the worst depending on where you view it. Change has an adjustment period which varies on the individual. It is uncomfortable, for changing from one state to the next upsets our control over outcomes. Change has a ripping effect on those who won`t let go. Flex is the key. Even a roller coaster ride can be fun if you know where to lean and create new balance within the change. Change is need when all the props and practices of the past no longer work. Change is not comforted by the statement, `just hand in there` but with the statement, `you can make it`. We don`t grow in retreat, but through endurance. Change isn`t fixed by crying, worrying, or mental tread milling. Change is won by victors; not victims; and that choice is ours.”
That being the case, I believe I can safely proclaim that change is taking place in Buea. In other words, Buea is changing.
The Mayor at work
Buea Council Mayor Mbella Moki Charles is effecting change within the Council area. He is at war. He has launched an all-out war against anarchically constructed architectural structures. A few days ago I spotted him in the Molyko area, at the University of Junction, to be more precise, surrounded by a crowd of curious supporters and distraught detractors. He was pinpointing for destruction to his technicians off licences which he felt were too close to the university premises. ‘This is a university!” he said. The owners of the businesses have been notified that they have some days of grace within which they must relocate their structures or face the full force of the law. If anyone doubted the seriousness of the mayor`s threats, such can hardly be the case now because prior to the off licence incident at the U.B. Junction, his men had already been at work pulling down businesses that were operating from containers. The mayor has said he does not want to see any containers in public places. Right now, it is difficult to find any more container businesses in the town. But of course, since change is a painful process, there are those who are in tears because their businesses have been ruined and they do not know where to go from here. Nonetheless, when one contemplates the empty spaces left by the displaced containers, one notices some beauty and sanity in the environment, which proves that sometimes it may be necessary to force change when it is slow in coming.
The new market
What one might call a modern market is currently being constructed in Buea Town. It is a rejuvenation of the erstwhile Buea Town market, just at the bend before the Buea Town Motor Park and the Council premises. The new market which is coming up strongly in terms of construction is a far cry from the huts and shacks that are today receding but used to stand tall like veritable eye sores to the onlooker. As the new buildings approach the sky, the old ones which have had their day are being sidelines and marginalized and dwarfed. I am sure they will ultimately be put down and kissed goodbye for good. The new market comprises purpose built structures with an imposing front façade storey building. I understand that, traders and market men and women are already reserving sheds in the market for fear that they may not be accommodated if they wait for completion of construction work. When the market becomes operational, it will not only mark a sea change from the existing markets at the OIC, Muea, Mile 16 and Mile 14 – all of them within the Buea Council area, but also for those outside of its jurisdiction such as the one in Mutengene.
Traveling to Mile 17
Significant changes have taken place along the road to Mile 17 from downtown Mutengene, in the last one year, if not even the last six months. The National Social Insurance Fund (CNPS) regional building which was constructed at Mile 17 some years ago and which immediately became the pride of the town is still today a jewel in the crown. Its large and sumptuous banquet hall has served as the venue of many a conference and wedding, such as the recent one between Umenei and Achu. Of recent, the Lobe Cooperative Credit Union has also put its mark on the place by putting up a four storey building just down the Road from the petrol Station and just before the CNPS building as you go down towards Mile 16. At night, the building is a marvel to look at with its glittering corridor and bedroom lights. Hardly anyone drives that way without admiring the building and asking questions about it. Not far from it, a similar building is coming out of the earth. That is not all about the new buildings, for in Dibanda (Mile 14), the international NGO, Habitat, is putting up some dozen living houses, it would appear this is as a contribution to the fight against poverty through the provision of low cost housing. Although the first dozen or so are near completion, it is not known how interested candidates will be made to acquire them.
A gas station near you
In the last few months, Buea has had the joy of welcoming two new petrol stations within its jurisdiction. The first to come was BOCOM, located just after TEXACO Mile 17 on the way to Mile 16 and the other is SOCOAME which is in Mile 14. When BOCOM came, motorists heaved a sigh of relief because they had been having tough times with congestion at the then lone Texaco Station. Furthermore, the station attendants were said to be laid back and unwelcoming. When BOCOM came in, it made them sit up. SOCOAME has now come to make everyone sit up, for competition is really keen.
The chariot of the people
Surely, the name `chariot` must be a special one here in Buea, if one considers the number of users gunning for it. The appellation had for years been associated with Epasa Moto, ‘The Chariot of the Gods”, and a reference to the legendary power behind the Buea-located Cameroon Mountain. Then came the University of Buea`s Journalism and Mass Communication`s Chariot Radio and Chariot TV. Now, a new hotel has opened in the town under the name of the Chariot Hotel. This latest institution is not just a hotel; it is a high profile three star structure, with a well chosen site and clearly defined architectural options. It has beautiful and spacious rooms and a swimming pool as well as conference rooms. In fact, that is where all the big events in Buea needing hotel or catering facilities now go to. Perhaps this is a welcomed move, considering that the once leading hotel in Buea even before independence, the one and only Buea Mountain Hotel, was allowed to depreciate, crumble and die some years ago.
Kumba as the extra mile
If you come as far as Buea nowadays, then you really must continue to Kumba, popularly known as K-Town. The road to Kumba that used to be a nightmare is today simply a pleasure ride. When I plied the new look road for the first time last year, I just felt like making more and more of the same trips. The road was widened and tarred right to Kumba and inaugurated by none other than the Prime Minister and Head of Government, Philemon Yang. That was one of the first major activities he performed after being appointed Prime Minister and Head of Government in June 2009. However, after the pleasurable ride to K-Town, one immediately feels anger and frustration when one enters the town. This is because the state of the roads in the town leaves a lot to be desired, in comparison with the Buea-Kumba road.
Putting it all together
After decades of apparent neglect and sidelining as well as an unavowed reluctance to grow and experience change on the part of the town itself, Buea seems to be waking up from slumber at last, or at the very least, stirring. But for the town to get up and perhaps also rise to the rank of a City Council just like Limbe and Kumba which although only Divisional headquarters whereas Buea is a regional headquarters, got there before it, all hands must be on deck. The job can not be left to the indigenes or the local Council; no, anybody who has anything to do with Buea must put his or her hand to the plough. Of particular interest here is the group of Cameroonians in the Diaspora who are always more ready to offer criticisms from their distant sanctuaries of fast cars and quick dollars, than really take the bull by the horns and make a lasting contribution and impression.
Copyright
DES FILLES VENDUES AU PLUS OFFRANT
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Ils firent leur entrée
Visages pleins de boue
Et mains dures comme celle de l`Oncle maçon
Jean Claude est-il là pour entendre ?
Alors ils envoyèrent un petit mot chez le banquier
Mais n`ayant ni Prado
Ni carte de membre du Comite Central
Encore more de jardin secret
Le banquier ne répondit pas
Le lendemain matin
Ils envoyèrent chercher
Leurs plus belles filles
Et ensuite, un deuxième petit mot au banquier:
« Nous vous comprenons
Prenez donc nos meilleures filles
Et envoyez-nous donc cet argent. »
Copyright 2010
Ils firent leur entrée
Visages pleins de boue
Et mains dures comme celle de l`Oncle maçon
Jean Claude est-il là pour entendre ?
Alors ils envoyèrent un petit mot chez le banquier
Mais n`ayant ni Prado
Ni carte de membre du Comite Central
Encore more de jardin secret
Le banquier ne répondit pas
Le lendemain matin
Ils envoyèrent chercher
Leurs plus belles filles
Et ensuite, un deuxième petit mot au banquier:
« Nous vous comprenons
Prenez donc nos meilleures filles
Et envoyez-nous donc cet argent. »
Copyright 2010
FEMME SUR LA SELETTE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Lorsque l`incendie se déclara
Le bétail fut touché
Mais les soirées noires disparurent
Et les strophes de quatre vers
S`indignèrent et se résignèrent.
Informé, le chef de village
Avec tout son Etat Major
Chacun tenant des tranches de jambon
Se mirent en route
Pour aller rendre compte au curé de la place
Et afin de marquer leur refus catégorique.
Copyright 2010
Lorsque l`incendie se déclara
Le bétail fut touché
Mais les soirées noires disparurent
Et les strophes de quatre vers
S`indignèrent et se résignèrent.
Informé, le chef de village
Avec tout son Etat Major
Chacun tenant des tranches de jambon
Se mirent en route
Pour aller rendre compte au curé de la place
Et afin de marquer leur refus catégorique.
Copyright 2010
LES MANQUEMENTS DE TOUJOURS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous n`avons plus de vieux champs
Ni de poètes errants
Encore moins de strapontins parlementaires
Nous n`avons que
De vieilles chansons de Roland
Et quelques evantails déchiquetées insignifiants
Quiconque cherchera des figurines de proue gravées
Devra au préalable nous payer les pots cassés
Et vite nous chercher le boulanger du faubourg.
Copyright 2010
Nous n`avons plus de vieux champs
Ni de poètes errants
Encore moins de strapontins parlementaires
Nous n`avons que
De vieilles chansons de Roland
Et quelques evantails déchiquetées insignifiants
Quiconque cherchera des figurines de proue gravées
Devra au préalable nous payer les pots cassés
Et vite nous chercher le boulanger du faubourg.
Copyright 2010
FEMME SUR LA SELETTE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Une fois rentrée chez elle
Aminatou les contempla
Sagement, bêtement, sciemment
Et puis sans trouver les prémisses
Elle s`abandonna à l`obscurité ardoise.
Le lendemain et sans provocation
Une brindille colorée et fétiche
Se leva et traça une seconde ligne bitumineuse
Mais sans tulipe publique
Ni frondaison engloutie
Scanda son nom sans se lever.
Copyright 2010
Une fois rentrée chez elle
Aminatou les contempla
Sagement, bêtement, sciemment
Et puis sans trouver les prémisses
Elle s`abandonna à l`obscurité ardoise.
Le lendemain et sans provocation
Une brindille colorée et fétiche
Se leva et traça une seconde ligne bitumineuse
Mais sans tulipe publique
Ni frondaison engloutie
Scanda son nom sans se lever.
Copyright 2010
jeudi 21 octobre 2010
THE MINISTER`S HAM
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I`m not the minister
But I know him
I master his mind
I`m his kinsman.
It`s not about past glories
That`s not what it`s about
It`s about drawing up the wetlands
And substituting smoked beef for chicken.
Copyright 2010
I`m not the minister
But I know him
I master his mind
I`m his kinsman.
It`s not about past glories
That`s not what it`s about
It`s about drawing up the wetlands
And substituting smoked beef for chicken.
Copyright 2010
ZINC AS A FORM OF LIFE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Life`s not just a veneer or vistas
It`s also vestiges of past glories
That`s why anyone who thinks he`s living
Is actually dying.
If Kaye Whiteman were here
I know he`d weep for Zik
He knew Zik before he became Zik the President
That`s why he masters the man`s life.
Copyright 2010
Life`s not just a veneer or vistas
It`s also vestiges of past glories
That`s why anyone who thinks he`s living
Is actually dying.
If Kaye Whiteman were here
I know he`d weep for Zik
He knew Zik before he became Zik the President
That`s why he masters the man`s life.
Copyright 2010
UNITS OF OUR OWN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We all belong to units
And we all carry our kites high
If you think I pry
Then show me all your seven kits.
Copyright 2010
We all belong to units
And we all carry our kites high
If you think I pry
Then show me all your seven kits.
Copyright 2010
MY CUP OVERFLOWS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My hands are full
But not my cup
I leave that for the Lord
For that`s his sphere.
I`m nothing but his choicest tool
Adoring him at the bus stop
To him for ever I hold up my hands like Ford
Only through him can my coast be clear.
Copyright 2010
My hands are full
But not my cup
I leave that for the Lord
For that`s his sphere.
I`m nothing but his choicest tool
Adoring him at the bus stop
To him for ever I hold up my hands like Ford
Only through him can my coast be clear.
Copyright 2010
THE FISHING RODS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I have wandered round the world
Can`t you see
My shoes are worn out at the soles
And my sight has dropped
As my eyes are sore
They told me the fishing rods were nearby.
I have knocked at all the doors
But haven`t found them
I`ve been to all the villages
All the towns
All the off licences
All the chicken parlours
Now I`m back home
If a home it is any longer
Hone without shoes
Home without eyes
Home without fishing rods.
Copyright 2010
I have wandered round the world
Can`t you see
My shoes are worn out at the soles
And my sight has dropped
As my eyes are sore
They told me the fishing rods were nearby.
I have knocked at all the doors
But haven`t found them
I`ve been to all the villages
All the towns
All the off licences
All the chicken parlours
Now I`m back home
If a home it is any longer
Hone without shoes
Home without eyes
Home without fishing rods.
Copyright 2010
THE ONLY COCK THAT CROWS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
That`s all there is to it
So don`t rub it in
A peep, a percentage, a gold ring and a tuning fork
And perhaps a drop of pure whiskey for good measure
That`s what it takes
No more , no less.
Copyright 2010
That`s all there is to it
So don`t rub it in
A peep, a percentage, a gold ring and a tuning fork
And perhaps a drop of pure whiskey for good measure
That`s what it takes
No more , no less.
Copyright 2010
THE INNER CIRCLE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We are of the hard core
The nucleus, the heart
We see all babies before they`re born
Then someone else takes their grade points
This is not a matter for the law
It`s a matter for the department
So, let`s wait for the HOD.
Copyright 2010
We are of the hard core
The nucleus, the heart
We see all babies before they`re born
Then someone else takes their grade points
This is not a matter for the law
It`s a matter for the department
So, let`s wait for the HOD.
Copyright 2010
DATA CLEANSING
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
This is not add lipping
It`s down sizing
Like they do in Wall Street
The only difference as I can see it is
The graded skills template score.
Copyright 2010
This is not add lipping
It`s down sizing
Like they do in Wall Street
The only difference as I can see it is
The graded skills template score.
Copyright 2010
LAW AS EVERYTHING
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
There is law in everything
Or so says lawyer Kemende
For the poor TV-carrying lad
His lease is tort-sensitive
For the unhappy couple
The spouse is a source of litigation.
Copyright 2010
There is law in everything
Or so says lawyer Kemende
For the poor TV-carrying lad
His lease is tort-sensitive
For the unhappy couple
The spouse is a source of litigation.
Copyright 2010
UMBRELLAS WITHOUT STEMS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We have eight shiny end-game blades
All of them raring to go
Like the hungry elephant
When God`s mighty clock strikes two
Our mothers in their farms will hurry back
Babies or no babies
And the curtains will be drawn.
Copyright 2010
We have eight shiny end-game blades
All of them raring to go
Like the hungry elephant
When God`s mighty clock strikes two
Our mothers in their farms will hurry back
Babies or no babies
And the curtains will be drawn.
Copyright 2010
GIFTS NO ONE WANTS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Although this may sound odd to you
You should take it in your stride
The iron gate has already been locked
So if you brought the pending files
Take them back home.
Copyright 2010
Although this may sound odd to you
You should take it in your stride
The iron gate has already been locked
So if you brought the pending files
Take them back home.
Copyright 2010
MY OWN WOMAN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
If the things I touched turned into gold
My sweet little rose would rejuvenate
And all of a sudden rise and shine forth
She would proclaim me her man
And I would call her my woman.
Copyright 2010
If the things I touched turned into gold
My sweet little rose would rejuvenate
And all of a sudden rise and shine forth
She would proclaim me her man
And I would call her my woman.
Copyright 2010
mercredi 20 octobre 2010
ZINC AS A TRAITOR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I was born under a zinc roof
And raised under a zinc roof
The zinc roof is all I knew in my childhood
I rubbed shoulders with it daily
I enjoyed listening to it as it withstood torrential rain
But I also saw it rust and change colours
Like the chameleon.
Yet I didn`t know
Lots of other things about it
I didn`t know
It had a chemical formula: Zn
Or that zinc came from magnesium limestone
And was a sulphuret
I didn`t know about the ore being roasted
Blended with charcoal and then
Transformed into vapour, condensed and fused together.
I didn`t know all of that
Today when I return to my father`s compound
I hate to look zinc in the face
Why should I?
After all it betrayed me
It kept knowledge away from me
It hid it from me deliberately.
Copyright 2010
I was born under a zinc roof
And raised under a zinc roof
The zinc roof is all I knew in my childhood
I rubbed shoulders with it daily
I enjoyed listening to it as it withstood torrential rain
But I also saw it rust and change colours
Like the chameleon.
Yet I didn`t know
Lots of other things about it
I didn`t know
It had a chemical formula: Zn
Or that zinc came from magnesium limestone
And was a sulphuret
I didn`t know about the ore being roasted
Blended with charcoal and then
Transformed into vapour, condensed and fused together.
I didn`t know all of that
Today when I return to my father`s compound
I hate to look zinc in the face
Why should I?
After all it betrayed me
It kept knowledge away from me
It hid it from me deliberately.
Copyright 2010
THE PALM WINE TAPPER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I know the palm wine tapper
I know him well
We have dined together
We have drunk together
We wore the same clothes
And chase the same women.
So how can you today
Walk up to me with his tapping knife
And ask me who owns it?
Copyright 2010
I know the palm wine tapper
I know him well
We have dined together
We have drunk together
We wore the same clothes
And chase the same women.
So how can you today
Walk up to me with his tapping knife
And ask me who owns it?
Copyright 2010
SICK STABBER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
You`re a backstabber
And one suffering from meningitis
Although you wield a long knife now
Tomorrow you`ll dangle loosely from the ceiling.
Copyright 2010
You`re a backstabber
And one suffering from meningitis
Although you wield a long knife now
Tomorrow you`ll dangle loosely from the ceiling.
Copyright 2010
OLATUNDE`S DEATH WARRANT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
It`s not sealed
It`s simply closed
Who would have sealed it
When the Deputy`s man wasn`t`available?
Do you know what it means
To sign a death warrant?
Copyright 2010
It`s not sealed
It`s simply closed
Who would have sealed it
When the Deputy`s man wasn`t`available?
Do you know what it means
To sign a death warrant?
Copyright 2010
PONTIFF ON THE RUN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
She asked me to ask you
But you`re not obliged to respond
When she calls you
Tell her the pope is on the run
And that`s why night has delayed.
Copyright 2010
She asked me to ask you
But you`re not obliged to respond
When she calls you
Tell her the pope is on the run
And that`s why night has delayed.
Copyright 2010
THE SOILED CASSOCK
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The priest`s cassock is hidden
We hid it because we know you people
That`s why when you groan
We`ll all run to the loo as if there were no fiddle.
Copyright 2010
The priest`s cassock is hidden
We hid it because we know you people
That`s why when you groan
We`ll all run to the loo as if there were no fiddle.
Copyright 2010
CURRENT NEEDS
Her needs are acute and urgent
So we can`t wait for Sunday
If the cheque reveals real value
Then, why; cash it at once.
He isn`t the regent
Although he`s in the fray
The fact that he`s called Kalu
Means any shadowy requests will bounce.
Copyright 2010
THE CLEAN CAR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The car was washed
Not at the car wash
But where jilted lovers are dashed
And heavy cash is awash.
Copyright 2010
The car was washed
Not at the car wash
But where jilted lovers are dashed
And heavy cash is awash.
Copyright 2010
LIQUID CASH
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The cashier will call you
So, hold your horses
If it`s a wet day
Just scramble over the poached eggs.
Copyright 2010
The cashier will call you
So, hold your horses
If it`s a wet day
Just scramble over the poached eggs.
Copyright 2010
A QUOTE FRONM THE BIBLE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I know the deck
I made it myself
But in case the elder asks
Refer him to John 3:16.
Copyright 2010
I know the deck
I made it myself
But in case the elder asks
Refer him to John 3:16.
Copyright 2010
DOUBTING THOMASES
Tikum Mbah Azonga
I told him, I did
But he wouldn`t listen
Now that the banks are burst
He`ll surely run back crying.
Copyright 2010
I told him, I did
But he wouldn`t listen
Now that the banks are burst
He`ll surely run back crying.
Copyright 2010
TWO DRINKS IN ONE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Aright is a right
And a shoe, a shoe
So if you drink sprite
Prepare tea for two.
Copyright 2010
Aright is a right
And a shoe, a shoe
So if you drink sprite
Prepare tea for two.
Copyright 2010
DEATH FOR THE PRESIDENT`S NEPHEW
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Sign here, yes.
But don`t swear here
Swearing is strictly forbidden
And anyone found guilty
Will be hanged upside down
It doesn`t matter if
The President is your uncle.
Copyright 2010
Sign here, yes.
But don`t swear here
Swearing is strictly forbidden
And anyone found guilty
Will be hanged upside down
It doesn`t matter if
The President is your uncle.
Copyright 2010
TWEETS FOR THE DEFENCE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We share tweets
Not twits
There`s a world of a difference
It`s in the defence.
Copyright 2010
We share tweets
Not twits
There`s a world of a difference
It`s in the defence.
Copyright 2010
PRECURSOR GOODS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I`ll send them back
I`ll do so myself
But not through a proxy
So that when judgment times comes
I`ll be safely on the other side.
Copyright 2010
I`ll send them back
I`ll do so myself
But not through a proxy
So that when judgment times comes
I`ll be safely on the other side.
Copyright 2010
THE BREAK-IN
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Weren`t you in?
Or how did they get in?
If you think sandwiches are only for breakfast
Then spare a thought for the half caste.
Copyright 2010
Weren`t you in?
Or how did they get in?
If you think sandwiches are only for breakfast
Then spare a thought for the half caste.
Copyright 2010
WASTED GUN POWDER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I made it
I made it at last
Right now, I`m on the other s8ide
Is not God great?
When the dreadful hangman returns
He`ll find he`s wasted his gun powder.
Copyright 2010
I made it
I made it at last
Right now, I`m on the other s8ide
Is not God great?
When the dreadful hangman returns
He`ll find he`s wasted his gun powder.
Copyright 2010
mardi 19 octobre 2010
QUI JE SUIS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Je ne pense pas au câlin
Je ne suis pas Petit Pays
Je suis le vent qui souffle
Comme le Saint Esprit
Voilà qui je suis.
Copyright 2010
Je ne pense pas au câlin
Je ne suis pas Petit Pays
Je suis le vent qui souffle
Comme le Saint Esprit
Voilà qui je suis.
Copyright 2010
TEMPERAMENTS CONFONDUS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Papa n`est pas égoïste
Il est altruiste
Maman est gourmande
Mais elle est aussi généreuse et droite comme la fronde.
Copyright 2010
Papa n`est pas égoïste
Il est altruiste
Maman est gourmande
Mais elle est aussi généreuse et droite comme la fronde.
Copyright 2010
THE WRONG KEY
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Not all keys fit in
So don`t fool yourself
Forget about the lock and key theory
That`s why you lost the goods
They were sent to Kumbo
Instead of being brought to Kumba.
If I were you, I would ditch my key
I would tie a stone round its neck
And throw it down the Manenguba Lake.
Copyright 2010
Not all keys fit in
So don`t fool yourself
Forget about the lock and key theory
That`s why you lost the goods
They were sent to Kumbo
Instead of being brought to Kumba.
If I were you, I would ditch my key
I would tie a stone round its neck
And throw it down the Manenguba Lake.
Copyright 2010
THE CODED MESSAGE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I recall her last words very well
That is, before she went in there
They were, "money sealed"
And that was it; so we left it at that
No key, no clue, no hint
As the giant iron gate closed with a bang.
Today we`re in hell
No one is able to decipher the code, not here
So how will its contents ever be revealed?
Yet we have paid the VAT
And sent them some old films by Clint
So, were we so badly treated because of our rang?
Copyright 2010
I recall her last words very well
That is, before she went in there
They were, "money sealed"
And that was it; so we left it at that
No key, no clue, no hint
As the giant iron gate closed with a bang.
Today we`re in hell
No one is able to decipher the code, not here
So how will its contents ever be revealed?
Yet we have paid the VAT
And sent them some old films by Clint
So, were we so badly treated because of our rang?
Copyright 2010
A LEGAL ENCOUNTER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
He wasn`t ready yet
But they forced him
They carried it up and dumped it on his laps
Then they frog marched the poor soul
To the Sanhedrin
To stand trial.
To the first question, he asked for a bet
To the second , he threw down his sim
To the third, he waved a pair of mouse traps
To the fourth, he said he came from Melim
To the fifth, he said his wife was Sandrine
And to the ultimate, he said the magistrate must redial.
Copyright 2010
He wasn`t ready yet
But they forced him
They carried it up and dumped it on his laps
Then they frog marched the poor soul
To the Sanhedrin
To stand trial.
To the first question, he asked for a bet
To the second , he threw down his sim
To the third, he waved a pair of mouse traps
To the fourth, he said he came from Melim
To the fifth, he said his wife was Sandrine
And to the ultimate, he said the magistrate must redial.
Copyright 2010
WARNING SIGNS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
It won`t be long before they come back
They warned us
And gave us enough time to pack out
They`ll return with sharpened knives and poisoned spears
Let`s not take their leader for a quack
They may be men who maim without fuss
I know that at any time they can impose a rout
And then give us as free beef to their deers.
Copyright 2010
It won`t be long before they come back
They warned us
And gave us enough time to pack out
They`ll return with sharpened knives and poisoned spears
Let`s not take their leader for a quack
They may be men who maim without fuss
I know that at any time they can impose a rout
And then give us as free beef to their deers.
Copyright 2010
DES PAROLES D`AMOUR
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
J`aimerais te chuchoter quelques mots
A toi et rien qu`a toi
Dans ton oreille
Alors laisse-moi le faire
Apres, je peux mourir
En toute tranquillité et en toute sérénité.
Les vagues de joie de vivre
Ne no8us submergerons pas
Nous serons en sécurité
Malgré le silence inouï mais décevant de la mer
Aucune âme ne suffira
Alors, laisse-moi faire ; laisse-moi te chuchoter.
Copyright 2010
J`aimerais te chuchoter quelques mots
A toi et rien qu`a toi
Dans ton oreille
Alors laisse-moi le faire
Apres, je peux mourir
En toute tranquillité et en toute sérénité.
Les vagues de joie de vivre
Ne no8us submergerons pas
Nous serons en sécurité
Malgré le silence inouï mais décevant de la mer
Aucune âme ne suffira
Alors, laisse-moi faire ; laisse-moi te chuchoter.
Copyright 2010
CHUCHOTAGE NOCTAMBULE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
J`aimerais te chuchoter quelques mots
A toi et rien qu`à toi
Dans ton oreille
Alors laisse-moi le faire
Après, je peux mourir
En toute tranquillité et en toute sérénité.
Les vagues de joie de vivre
Ne nous submergeront pas
Nous serons en sécurité totale
Malgré le silence inouï mais décevant de la mer
Aucune âme ne s`inquiétera
Alors, laisse-moi faire ; laisse-moi te chuchoter.
Copyright 2010
J`aimerais te chuchoter quelques mots
A toi et rien qu`à toi
Dans ton oreille
Alors laisse-moi le faire
Après, je peux mourir
En toute tranquillité et en toute sérénité.
Les vagues de joie de vivre
Ne nous submergeront pas
Nous serons en sécurité totale
Malgré le silence inouï mais décevant de la mer
Aucune âme ne s`inquiétera
Alors, laisse-moi faire ; laisse-moi te chuchoter.
Copyright 2010
lundi 18 octobre 2010
VOYAGE DANS L`ESPACE
Tikum Mbah Azonga
Bonjour et bienvenue à cette page de mon blog,
J`ai esquissé les quelques lignes qui suivent pour vous et rien que pour vous. Je cherche à vous faire découvrir un nouveau monde qui me passionne et qui m`envoûte. Vous l`avez deviné, il s`agit du monde de la poésie, un monde à part entière et entièrement à part. C`est un monde de souffrance et un monde de joie. C`est un monde d`anges et un monde de diables. C`est un monde ancien et un monde nouveau. C`est un objet concret et le néant. C`est un monde idéal et un monde imaginaire. C`est un monde utopique et un monde concret. C`est un univers d`êtres à la fois malléables et ductiles d`une part et insaisissables d`autre part. C`est aussi – car il faut bien appeler les choses par leur nom – un mal nécessaire.
Alors cher ami, lisez le poème qui suit de préférence en son intégralité et allez plus loin. Ne vous arrêtez pas en cours de route car l`essentiel, c`est-à-dire le gros de mon message - se trouve après le poème dont il est question. Détendez-vous et laissez-vous aller ! Vous m`en direz des nouvelles !
______________________________________________
POEME LIMINAIRE
CE QUE NOUS VOULONS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Notre désir est simple
Il s`agit de faire de la belle poésie
Il s`agit de faire courir les oiseaux dans l`air
Il s`agit de mesurer la profondeur de notre fleuve
Il s`agit de cultiver notre propre jardin.
Nous voulons un espace ample
Où le temps est une manière de vivre sans frénésie
Nous voulons des scorpions et des grenouilles hors de pair
Mais surtout pas de fauve
Car la reine-mère est venue
Et nous sommes des strapontins
Rien que des strapontins.
Copyright 2010
Poème tire de la page suivante de mon blog :
< http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/ce-que-nous-voulons.html>
__________________________________________________________
COMMENTAIRE
On ne s`ennuie jamais - ou on ne devrait jamais s`ennuyer - lorsqu`on a le privilège de côtoyer la poésie. De même, on ne doit pas chercher trop loin pour trouver de la poésie car elle nous entoure, elle nous interpelle, elle nous nourrit, elle nous propulse, elle nous motive, elle nous étrangle, elle nous intoxique, elle nous suffoque, elle nous étouffe, elle nous fait naitre et elle nous donne la mort.
Cependant, une question fondamentale se pose : Qu`est-ce que la poésie ? Et c`est justement sur ce point qu`on se rend compte qu`il y a divergence de vue en matière de poésie. Ceci est du au fait que car la poésie signifie différentes choses à différentes personnes. En l`occurrence, d`après le site web WIKIPEDIA, la poésie serait :
«un genre littéraire très ancien aux formes variées, écrites généralement en vers (il existe cependant des poèmes en prose), dans lequel l’importance dominante est accordée à la forme, c’est-à-dire au signifiant. La poésie est un art du langage qui fait une utilisation maximale des ressources de la langue ».
D`autres definitions rassemblees par le site ,http://www.linternaute.com/dictionnaire/fr/definition/poesie/ > sont loin de trouver un consensus :
"Ce qu'on dit de soi est toujours poésie."
Ernest Renan
"Je sais que la poésie est indispensable, mais je ne sais pas à quoi."
Jean Cocteau
"L’amour est la poésie des sens."
Honoré de Balzac
"Le but de l’art est presque divin : ressusciter, s’il fait de l’histoire ; créer, s’il fait de la poésie"
Victor Hugo.
Selon le blog webpedagogique,, la poesie est “ La poésie est un moyen de s’exprimer librement tout en faisant passer un message. La poésie peut parler de plusieurs sujets et peut même critiquer des événements, des mentalités des gens. ».
Jean Tardieu, quant a lui, affirme que : « « Qu’est-ce que la poésie ? Si c’est une religion, j’ai voulu en être le servant. Si c’est un art, je n’ai cessé de l’apprendre comme un artisan scrupuleux. »
De toutes ces définitions se dégagent trois tendances charnières qui se veulent simultanément conformes et non conformes, similaires et disparates, appropriées et inappropriées, adéquates et inadéquates, comparables et incomparables, voire divine ou diabolique. Si on s`en tient au tableau brosse, on est en mesure de conclure qu`il ne saurait y avoir de poésie consensuelle ou éclectique, si l`on évoque l`aspect pédagogique. L a poésie est donc ce que vous en fait. Elle est le résultat de la lecture qu`on en fait. En d`autres termes, vous avez votre poésie à vous et moi, j`ai ma poésie « Qu’est-ce que la poésie ? Si c’est une religion, j’ai voulu en être le servant. Si c’est un art, je n’ai cessé de l’apprendre comme un artisan scrupuleux. »
Vous trouverez en bas de cette page, mon interprétation de la poésie pratique. A vous de jouer !
----------------------------------------------
POEME 1
LA PERMUTATION
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Oh masques de mes ancêtres !
ES-tu noir ou blanc or rouge ?
Tu as interdit aux femmes
E rire aux éclats
Et aux hommes
De tonner les canons
A quand alors la réconciliation ?
La moisson est mauvaise
Et la main d`œuvre, piètre
Rends-nous alors un . . .
POUR LE RESTE DE CE POEME, VEUILLEZ VOUS REPORTER A LA PAGE SUIVANTE DE MON BLOG ;
« http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/la-permutation>
_______________________________________________________________
POEME 2
LE TRESOR ENFOUI
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous recherchons le trésor
C`est-à -dire la caisse enfouie
Ces sont les anciens qui nous l`envoient
Ils nous l`envoient avec un message scellé
Un message ferme et solennel et irrévocable
Trouvez-nous . . .
PUR LE RESTE DE CE POEME, VEUILLEZ VOUS REPORTEZ A LA PAGE SUIVANTE DE MON BLOG :
http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/le-tresor-enfoui.html
_______________________________________
POEME 3
NU DEVANT LE SEIGNEUR
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous n`avons plus de nombril
Car nous saignons tous
Tout ce que nous connaissons
C`est l`agonie et le manque
Lorsque le seigneur . . .
< http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/nu-devant-le-seigneur.html>
_________________________________________________________________
Poétiquement votre
Tikum Mbah Azonga
Bonjour et bienvenue à cette page de mon blog,
J`ai esquissé les quelques lignes qui suivent pour vous et rien que pour vous. Je cherche à vous faire découvrir un nouveau monde qui me passionne et qui m`envoûte. Vous l`avez deviné, il s`agit du monde de la poésie, un monde à part entière et entièrement à part. C`est un monde de souffrance et un monde de joie. C`est un monde d`anges et un monde de diables. C`est un monde ancien et un monde nouveau. C`est un objet concret et le néant. C`est un monde idéal et un monde imaginaire. C`est un monde utopique et un monde concret. C`est un univers d`êtres à la fois malléables et ductiles d`une part et insaisissables d`autre part. C`est aussi – car il faut bien appeler les choses par leur nom – un mal nécessaire.
Alors cher ami, lisez le poème qui suit de préférence en son intégralité et allez plus loin. Ne vous arrêtez pas en cours de route car l`essentiel, c`est-à-dire le gros de mon message - se trouve après le poème dont il est question. Détendez-vous et laissez-vous aller ! Vous m`en direz des nouvelles !
______________________________________________
POEME LIMINAIRE
CE QUE NOUS VOULONS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Notre désir est simple
Il s`agit de faire de la belle poésie
Il s`agit de faire courir les oiseaux dans l`air
Il s`agit de mesurer la profondeur de notre fleuve
Il s`agit de cultiver notre propre jardin.
Nous voulons un espace ample
Où le temps est une manière de vivre sans frénésie
Nous voulons des scorpions et des grenouilles hors de pair
Mais surtout pas de fauve
Car la reine-mère est venue
Et nous sommes des strapontins
Rien que des strapontins.
Copyright 2010
Poème tire de la page suivante de mon blog :
< http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/ce-que-nous-voulons.html>
__________________________________________________________
COMMENTAIRE
On ne s`ennuie jamais - ou on ne devrait jamais s`ennuyer - lorsqu`on a le privilège de côtoyer la poésie. De même, on ne doit pas chercher trop loin pour trouver de la poésie car elle nous entoure, elle nous interpelle, elle nous nourrit, elle nous propulse, elle nous motive, elle nous étrangle, elle nous intoxique, elle nous suffoque, elle nous étouffe, elle nous fait naitre et elle nous donne la mort.
Cependant, une question fondamentale se pose : Qu`est-ce que la poésie ? Et c`est justement sur ce point qu`on se rend compte qu`il y a divergence de vue en matière de poésie. Ceci est du au fait que car la poésie signifie différentes choses à différentes personnes. En l`occurrence, d`après le site web WIKIPEDIA, la poésie serait :
«un genre littéraire très ancien aux formes variées, écrites généralement en vers (il existe cependant des poèmes en prose), dans lequel l’importance dominante est accordée à la forme, c’est-à-dire au signifiant. La poésie est un art du langage qui fait une utilisation maximale des ressources de la langue ».
D`autres definitions rassemblees par le site ,http://www.linternaute.com/dictionnaire/fr/definition/poesie/ > sont loin de trouver un consensus :
"Ce qu'on dit de soi est toujours poésie."
Ernest Renan
"Je sais que la poésie est indispensable, mais je ne sais pas à quoi."
Jean Cocteau
"L’amour est la poésie des sens."
Honoré de Balzac
"Le but de l’art est presque divin : ressusciter, s’il fait de l’histoire ; créer, s’il fait de la poésie"
Victor Hugo.
Selon le blog webpedagogique,
Jean Tardieu, quant a lui, affirme que : « « Qu’est-ce que la poésie ? Si c’est une religion, j’ai voulu en être le servant. Si c’est un art, je n’ai cessé de l’apprendre comme un artisan scrupuleux. »
De toutes ces définitions se dégagent trois tendances charnières qui se veulent simultanément conformes et non conformes, similaires et disparates, appropriées et inappropriées, adéquates et inadéquates, comparables et incomparables, voire divine ou diabolique. Si on s`en tient au tableau brosse, on est en mesure de conclure qu`il ne saurait y avoir de poésie consensuelle ou éclectique, si l`on évoque l`aspect pédagogique. L a poésie est donc ce que vous en fait. Elle est le résultat de la lecture qu`on en fait. En d`autres termes, vous avez votre poésie à vous et moi, j`ai ma poésie « Qu’est-ce que la poésie ? Si c’est une religion, j’ai voulu en être le servant. Si c’est un art, je n’ai cessé de l’apprendre comme un artisan scrupuleux. »
Vous trouverez en bas de cette page, mon interprétation de la poésie pratique. A vous de jouer !
----------------------------------------------
POEME 1
LA PERMUTATION
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Oh masques de mes ancêtres !
ES-tu noir ou blanc or rouge ?
Tu as interdit aux femmes
E rire aux éclats
Et aux hommes
De tonner les canons
A quand alors la réconciliation ?
La moisson est mauvaise
Et la main d`œuvre, piètre
Rends-nous alors un . . .
POUR LE RESTE DE CE POEME, VEUILLEZ VOUS REPORTER A LA PAGE SUIVANTE DE MON BLOG ;
« http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/la-permutation>
_______________________________________________________________
POEME 2
LE TRESOR ENFOUI
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous recherchons le trésor
C`est-à -dire la caisse enfouie
Ces sont les anciens qui nous l`envoient
Ils nous l`envoient avec un message scellé
Un message ferme et solennel et irrévocable
Trouvez-nous . . .
PUR LE RESTE DE CE POEME, VEUILLEZ VOUS REPORTEZ A LA PAGE SUIVANTE DE MON BLOG :
http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/le-tresor-enfoui.html
_______________________________________
POEME 3
NU DEVANT LE SEIGNEUR
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous n`avons plus de nombril
Car nous saignons tous
Tout ce que nous connaissons
C`est l`agonie et le manque
Lorsque le seigneur . . .
< http://tikumazonga.blogspot.com/2010/10/nu-devant-le-seigneur.html>
_________________________________________________________________
Poétiquement votre
Tikum Mbah Azonga
CE QUE NOUS VOULONS
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Notre désir est simple
Il s`agit de faire de la belle poésie
Il s`agit de faire courir les oiseaux dans l`air
Il s`agit de mesurer la profondeur de notre fleuve
Il s`agit de cultiver notre propre jardin.
Nous voulons un espace ample
Où le temps est une manière de vivre sans frénésie
Nous voulons des scorpions et des grenouilles hors de pair
Mais surtout pas de fauve
Car la reine-mère est venue
Et nous sommes des strapontins
Rien que des strapontins.
Copyright 2010
Notre désir est simple
Il s`agit de faire de la belle poésie
Il s`agit de faire courir les oiseaux dans l`air
Il s`agit de mesurer la profondeur de notre fleuve
Il s`agit de cultiver notre propre jardin.
Nous voulons un espace ample
Où le temps est une manière de vivre sans frénésie
Nous voulons des scorpions et des grenouilles hors de pair
Mais surtout pas de fauve
Car la reine-mère est venue
Et nous sommes des strapontins
Rien que des strapontins.
Copyright 2010
THE MIDNIGHT THIEF
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I saw him coming
I saw him a long time ago
He came at midnight
Bearing gifts of sycamore
Mameluke and gandourahs
He returned in the day
Waving bundles of mongrelized isacriots
Broken templates and stolen cadavers.
So, isn`t that enough evidence?
Copyright 2010
I saw him coming
I saw him a long time ago
He came at midnight
Bearing gifts of sycamore
Mameluke and gandourahs
He returned in the day
Waving bundles of mongrelized isacriots
Broken templates and stolen cadavers.
So, isn`t that enough evidence?
Copyright 2010
THE SILVER LINING
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Dr. Nyamndi George)
Check them to be sure
And do so now before the Dean wakes
If there are any backlashes
Pick up the enveloped silver linings
And promptly return them to him
Refund them to Monsieur le President
Remember next year is a landmark one
It will be make or break
First past the pole
And we want our President to win
The only snag is that
The professor won`t be there to savour the victory
He left us
He left us too soon
He took of at the eleventh hour
So was he being tactical
Or did he mean to torpedo?
Copyright 2010
(For Dr. Nyamndi George)
Check them to be sure
And do so now before the Dean wakes
If there are any backlashes
Pick up the enveloped silver linings
And promptly return them to him
Refund them to Monsieur le President
Remember next year is a landmark one
It will be make or break
First past the pole
And we want our President to win
The only snag is that
The professor won`t be there to savour the victory
He left us
He left us too soon
He took of at the eleventh hour
So was he being tactical
Or did he mean to torpedo?
Copyright 2010
SEEN FROM BEHIND
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I missed the ladder
I missed it by inches
And in its place
I had goose pimples
If you doubt me
Check out the back stairs.
Copyright 2010
I missed the ladder
I missed it by inches
And in its place
I had goose pimples
If you doubt me
Check out the back stairs.
Copyright 2010
THREE BOXES FOR THE TRADE FAIR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Cavalier floods we know them
But are they enough?
No, we must lay more eggs
And crush more hibiscus nectar
Remember we`re not going to the market
We`re going to the trade fair.
Copyright 2010
Cavalier floods we know them
But are they enough?
No, we must lay more eggs
And crush more hibiscus nectar
Remember we`re not going to the market
We`re going to the trade fair.
Copyright 2010
STICKING IT ON THE WALL
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
(For Bisong Divine Epey)
It wasn`t me
Or at least, so I think
So if you insist on pulling the plugs
Make room for the disembowelled hostages.
Copyright 2010
(For Bisong Divine Epey)
It wasn`t me
Or at least, so I think
So if you insist on pulling the plugs
Make room for the disembowelled hostages.
Copyright 2010
HOME TIME
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Come home
Come home, Sweat heart, come
The sun is down
And the chickens have come home to roost
Leave everything behind you
And come home.
Tonight will be special
Mbongo Tchobi and nothing else
No kwa koko, at least not today
Let's change the scenario
And our course, for once.
Then early tomorrow morning
And hand-in-hand
We'll jump into the waiting boat.
Copyright 2010
Come home
Come home, Sweat heart, come
The sun is down
And the chickens have come home to roost
Leave everything behind you
And come home.
Tonight will be special
Mbongo Tchobi and nothing else
No kwa koko, at least not today
Let's change the scenario
And our course, for once.
Then early tomorrow morning
And hand-in-hand
We'll jump into the waiting boat.
Copyright 2010
THE THREE FACES OF FRANKLINE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I don`t understand, frankly
And I`m not kidding
If you ask me again
All I`ll do is point you to the door
I know my limits and my territory
I know my landmarks
And all the no-go areas.
That`s why once you spot me with my famous cap
You know I`m a busy man
I shuttle between the music shop
The ice cream machine and the cyber
We do that to satisfy customers
And to make ends meet
So catch me at any of those three places.
Copyright 2010
I don`t understand, frankly
And I`m not kidding
If you ask me again
All I`ll do is point you to the door
I know my limits and my territory
I know my landmarks
And all the no-go areas.
That`s why once you spot me with my famous cap
You know I`m a busy man
I shuttle between the music shop
The ice cream machine and the cyber
We do that to satisfy customers
And to make ends meet
So catch me at any of those three places.
Copyright 2010
dimanche 17 octobre 2010
STRANDED WITHOUT THE SHOE MENDER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The shoe mender didn`t return home last night
And we all fear for his life
We don`t know what will become of his shoes
Or what will become of our shoes.
But this was always the problem
No one believed me when I said loud and clear
This shoe mender was all we had
Now, not even the headmaster or the pastor can help.
Copyright 2010
The shoe mender didn`t return home last night
And we all fear for his life
We don`t know what will become of his shoes
Or what will become of our shoes.
But this was always the problem
No one believed me when I said loud and clear
This shoe mender was all we had
Now, not even the headmaster or the pastor can help.
Copyright 2010
STAYING POWER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Never say you came
Unless you`re forced
Everything being equal
Those who come always leave again.
If you want to be safe
Don`t leave
And don`t say you came
Then, no one will force you out.
Copyright 2010
Never say you came
Unless you`re forced
Everything being equal
Those who come always leave again.
If you want to be safe
Don`t leave
And don`t say you came
Then, no one will force you out.
Copyright 2010
STUCK WITH A LEAKING SINK
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My sink leaks
And this has been so for weeks
Is it a faucet or the drain tap?
No plumber can tell me
When they come the leak stops before they look at it
Then they just see the pool of water
Once they`re gone it all begins again.
If there`s any such thing as home improvement
Then where is the Home Problem Solver?
Don`t tell me about the plumber again
I know other homes have leaking sinks
But why are my cabinets, vanities and cavities spared?
Instead after the floor carpet it`s always
The shut-off valve, the D.I.Y. book
What shall I do about my sink trap problem
I fear that before long mildew, rotting wood and mould
All of those vices will set in
And then we`ll all be stuck in the mud
Can someone out there help me?
Copyright 2010
My sink leaks
And this has been so for weeks
Is it a faucet or the drain tap?
No plumber can tell me
When they come the leak stops before they look at it
Then they just see the pool of water
Once they`re gone it all begins again.
If there`s any such thing as home improvement
Then where is the Home Problem Solver?
Don`t tell me about the plumber again
I know other homes have leaking sinks
But why are my cabinets, vanities and cavities spared?
Instead after the floor carpet it`s always
The shut-off valve, the D.I.Y. book
What shall I do about my sink trap problem
I fear that before long mildew, rotting wood and mould
All of those vices will set in
And then we`ll all be stuck in the mud
Can someone out there help me?
Copyright 2010
KNOCKING ON THE WRONG DOOR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Oh, take your breasts away from me
And don`t tempt me
I`m God`s temple
And I don`t accept freebies.
Copyright 2010
Oh, take your breasts away from me
And don`t tempt me
I`m God`s temple
And I don`t accept freebies.
Copyright 2010
LOVE RECIPE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
When my love frowns
I give her a rose
When she smiles
I give her fermented ginger.
Copyright 2010
When my love frowns
I give her a rose
When she smiles
I give her fermented ginger.
Copyright 2010
FEMALE ADVICE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Do not let the ball game slip
Ignore the marble
And the lit parlour lights
That`s how wreckage begins
And happy housewives
Become weeping widows.
Copyright 2010
Do not let the ball game slip
Ignore the marble
And the lit parlour lights
That`s how wreckage begins
And happy housewives
Become weeping widows.
Copyright 2010
THE LAST RESORT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The car was parked
And the lentils, auctioned
With no more joy in her heart
She fetched the retired Parish priest.
Copyright 2010
The car was parked
And the lentils, auctioned
With no more joy in her heart
She fetched the retired Parish priest.
Copyright 2010
FINGER LANGUAGE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
My finger poked her
But she pretended
When my wife walked in
She at once held up her own finger.
Copyright 2010
My finger poked her
But she pretended
When my wife walked in
She at once held up her own finger.
Copyright 2010
SILENCE AS AN ANSWER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Why do you talk to me?
Are you eating your words?
How about all the swearing?
And the veiled threats?
So you think I`m the stone
And you, the water?
Then who is the prime mover?
Copyright 2010
Why do you talk to me?
Are you eating your words?
How about all the swearing?
And the veiled threats?
So you think I`m the stone
And you, the water?
Then who is the prime mover?
Copyright 2010
BEGGAR SAILORS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
They looked the other way
Like Mr. Beggar
Like him, they knew they had no townsman
But they thought of the sailor from Bristol
So when the next ship arrived
They had no cabin of their own.
Copyright 2010
They looked the other way
Like Mr. Beggar
Like him, they knew they had no townsman
But they thought of the sailor from Bristol
So when the next ship arrived
They had no cabin of their own.
Copyright 2010
THE RAPED FLOWERS
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
These flowers look awful
Someone must have tampered with them
They`re adulterated
They`re raped.
Copyright 2010
These flowers look awful
Someone must have tampered with them
They`re adulterated
They`re raped.
Copyright 2010
BIRD TROUBLE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
I know why
The bird didn`t walk down the isle
It flew out of the turret
And that`s why the pastor bit his finger
And shed a tear.
Copyright 2010
I know why
The bird didn`t walk down the isle
It flew out of the turret
And that`s why the pastor bit his finger
And shed a tear.
Copyright 2010
DRIVING THE WRONG WAY
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Drive a car down the road
And people will accuse you of inexperience
Drive it up the road
And they`ll accuse you of arrogance.
Copyright 2010
Drive a car down the road
And people will accuse you of inexperience
Drive it up the road
And they`ll accuse you of arrogance.
Copyright 2010
THE PRIME MOVER
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Don`t go alone
Take someone with you
Otherwise when the king asks
No one will be bold enough to name you.
Copyright 2010
Don`t go alone
Take someone with you
Otherwise when the king asks
No one will be bold enough to name you.
Copyright 2010
THE PARALLEL MOVEMENT
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
The deafening cry once more I hear
I hear it clearly and distinctly
Like before
Then my mother`s handbag
And stretching comb
Come flying out of the window
My God! So dad hadn`t leaned his lesson?
Copyright 2010
The deafening cry once more I hear
I hear it clearly and distinctly
Like before
Then my mother`s handbag
And stretching comb
Come flying out of the window
My God! So dad hadn`t leaned his lesson?
Copyright 2010
A FACE WITHOUT EYES
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
To me he`s nothing but an empty vessel
Don`t mind his big grammar
If you defy him with the village flute
Can he sound it?
Copyright 2010
To me he`s nothing but an empty vessel
Don`t mind his big grammar
If you defy him with the village flute
Can he sound it?
Copyright 2010
THE BISHOPS`S TOOLBAR
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
Our bishop is a strange man in deed
When he rises each morning
He asks for his toolbar
Before he says his prayers
He asks for his toolbar
After prayers
He sends for the other toolbar
For he has two in deed, just in case.
Before he goes out, he grabs both
Then while out
He places one toolbar on his office table
And sends the other to the Vicar General
If he realizes he`s at mass without his tool bars
He halts the service until
Both are brought him
Then placing one on either side of the altar
He recommences mass
After mass
He orders that both tool bars be placed in his car
During office time
He removes the tool bars and puts them on his table
Sometimes when someone meets the bishop
And says: " Good morning, my Lord!"
In response, the bishop says:" Have you seen my tool bars?"
One day at mass
During the homily to be more precise
Monseigneur recommended that every christian
Should own and carry a tool bar
But then one Sunday after mass
The Parish chairman walked up to him and asked
To the hearing of all who were there:
" My Lord, may I know what is so special about the tool bar
The tool bar is neither the crucifix nor the rosary nor holy water.?"
Furious, the bishop retorted:
" Pius, I din`t expect such a question from a man like you.
By the way, can someone fetch me the parish priest?"
Later, when the bishop was filling out a form for Rome
He encountered the question: "recent innovations"
The man of God wrote:"I am implementing the tool bar principle"
The Holy Father queried him:
"Monseigneur, please, what is the tool bar principle?"
The bishop replied:"The tool bar is the most modern principle
In the Catholic church of today"
The bishop even added: " You know that very well, Holy Father."
Shocked by this nascent dogma
The pope recalled the bishop to Rome for counseling
Today the bishop despite his wisdom and large following
Spends his time at the Vatican
Counting the pope`s speech pages.
Copyright 2010
Our bishop is a strange man in deed
When he rises each morning
He asks for his toolbar
Before he says his prayers
He asks for his toolbar
After prayers
He sends for the other toolbar
For he has two in deed, just in case.
Before he goes out, he grabs both
Then while out
He places one toolbar on his office table
And sends the other to the Vicar General
If he realizes he`s at mass without his tool bars
He halts the service until
Both are brought him
Then placing one on either side of the altar
He recommences mass
After mass
He orders that both tool bars be placed in his car
During office time
He removes the tool bars and puts them on his table
Sometimes when someone meets the bishop
And says: " Good morning, my Lord!"
In response, the bishop says:" Have you seen my tool bars?"
One day at mass
During the homily to be more precise
Monseigneur recommended that every christian
Should own and carry a tool bar
But then one Sunday after mass
The Parish chairman walked up to him and asked
To the hearing of all who were there:
" My Lord, may I know what is so special about the tool bar
The tool bar is neither the crucifix nor the rosary nor holy water.?"
Furious, the bishop retorted:
" Pius, I din`t expect such a question from a man like you.
By the way, can someone fetch me the parish priest?"
Later, when the bishop was filling out a form for Rome
He encountered the question: "recent innovations"
The man of God wrote:"I am implementing the tool bar principle"
The Holy Father queried him:
"Monseigneur, please, what is the tool bar principle?"
The bishop replied:"The tool bar is the most modern principle
In the Catholic church of today"
The bishop even added: " You know that very well, Holy Father."
Shocked by this nascent dogma
The pope recalled the bishop to Rome for counseling
Today the bishop despite his wisdom and large following
Spends his time at the Vatican
Counting the pope`s speech pages.
Copyright 2010
LA PERMUTATION
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Oh masques de mes ancêtres !
ES-tu noir ou blanc or rouge ?
Tu as interdit aux femmes
E rire aux éclats
Et aux hommes
De tonner les canons
A quand alors la réconciliation ?
La moisson est mauvaise
Et la main d`œuvre, piètre
Rends-nous alors un service
Le dernier, si tu veux
Permets que femmes et hommes
Pour une fois
Permutent.
Copyright 2010
Oh masques de mes ancêtres !
ES-tu noir ou blanc or rouge ?
Tu as interdit aux femmes
E rire aux éclats
Et aux hommes
De tonner les canons
A quand alors la réconciliation ?
La moisson est mauvaise
Et la main d`œuvre, piètre
Rends-nous alors un service
Le dernier, si tu veux
Permets que femmes et hommes
Pour une fois
Permutent.
Copyright 2010
LE BALLON DE DIEU
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Sur les vagues qui se replient
J`ai place un ballon d`or
Chaque nuit noire
Il brille de mille feux
Et tous les enfants du monde
En le voyant
Se lèvent comme un seul être
Ils flottent tous vers le Tout Puissant
Comme le ballon de noces
De Marie et de Joseph.
Copyright 2010
Sur les vagues qui se replient
J`ai place un ballon d`or
Chaque nuit noire
Il brille de mille feux
Et tous les enfants du monde
En le voyant
Se lèvent comme un seul être
Ils flottent tous vers le Tout Puissant
Comme le ballon de noces
De Marie et de Joseph.
Copyright 2010
LE TRESOR ENFOUI
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous recherchons le trésor
C`est-à -dire la caisse enfouie
Ces sont les anciens qui nous l`envoient
Ils nous l`envoient avec un message scellé
Un message ferme et solennel et irrévocable
Trouvez-nous ce trésor
Nous l`attendons ce soir-même
Faites tout
Il n`y aura pas de demie mesure.
Copyright 2010
Nous recherchons le trésor
C`est-à -dire la caisse enfouie
Ces sont les anciens qui nous l`envoient
Ils nous l`envoient avec un message scellé
Un message ferme et solennel et irrévocable
Trouvez-nous ce trésor
Nous l`attendons ce soir-même
Faites tout
Il n`y aura pas de demie mesure.
Copyright 2010
DEPART MAUDIT
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Si tu veux
Tu peux partir
Pars !
Mais ne m`appelle plus jamais.
Tu risques de devenir gueux
Alors incapable de compatir
Ne m`accuse pas de tare
Et tout cela pour un morceau de craie ?
Copyright 2010
Si tu veux
Tu peux partir
Pars !
Mais ne m`appelle plus jamais.
Tu risques de devenir gueux
Alors incapable de compatir
Ne m`accuse pas de tare
Et tout cela pour un morceau de craie ?
Copyright 2010
PLEURS INUTILES
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Je reste insensible
Très réservé
Aux cris des foutus hydres
A bas les pactes
Et les soifs lacrymales
A quoi servent les pleurs
Si le planton n`est pas a son poste ?
Copyright 2010
Je reste insensible
Très réservé
Aux cris des foutus hydres
A bas les pactes
Et les soifs lacrymales
A quoi servent les pleurs
Si le planton n`est pas a son poste ?
Copyright 2010
TEMOIN OCCULAIRE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Le ciel est mon témoin
Lorsque je louais le firmament céleste hier
Il était la.
Lorsque je louerai mon ange gardien demain
Il sera la.
Il nous surplombe
Non pour nous menacer
Mais pour nous protéger.
Copyright 2010
Le ciel est mon témoin
Lorsque je louais le firmament céleste hier
Il était la.
Lorsque je louerai mon ange gardien demain
Il sera la.
Il nous surplombe
Non pour nous menacer
Mais pour nous protéger.
Copyright 2010
TOIT SANS TOI
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Sans toi
Je n`aurais jamais pêché
Sans toit
Je ne t`aurais jamais trouvée.
Copyright 2010
Sans toi
Je n`aurais jamais pêché
Sans toit
Je ne t`aurais jamais trouvée.
Copyright 2010
MARCHE DE VICTOIRE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Venge-moi, mon fils
Mon honneur d`homme est en jeu
Lève-toi et marche vers mon adversaire
Mais pars comme un homme : armé.
Copyright 2010
Venge-moi, mon fils
Mon honneur d`homme est en jeu
Lève-toi et marche vers mon adversaire
Mais pars comme un homme : armé.
Copyright 2010
NU DEVANT LE SEIGNEUR
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Nous n`avons plus de nombril
Car nous saignons tous
Tout ce que nous connaissons
C`est l`agonie et le manque
Lorsque le seigneur reviendra
Quel rôle assignerons-nous a nos enfants
Leaders du Cameroun de demain ?
Copyright 2010
Nous n`avons plus de nombril
Car nous saignons tous
Tout ce que nous connaissons
C`est l`agonie et le manque
Lorsque le seigneur reviendra
Quel rôle assignerons-nous a nos enfants
Leaders du Cameroun de demain ?
Copyright 2010
LA GRENOUILLE DE MBARGA
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
On peut bien jouer avec son chien
A condition de bien le nourrir
Car lorsqu`on tire au sort
Mbarga peut se transformer en grenouille.
Copyright 2010
On peut bien jouer avec son chien
A condition de bien le nourrir
Car lorsqu`on tire au sort
Mbarga peut se transformer en grenouille.
Copyright 2010
MALADIE SANS OBJET
(A Titi William Itoe)
Aujourd`hui je suis malade
Et c`est a Titi que je m`en prends
S`il ne m`avait pas amené ici à la Délégation
Je n`aurais pas vu sa chaude.
Maintenant que les dés sont jetés
Que faire ?
Qui formera les équipes ?
Qui fermera le Camp Yayap ?Et que dirai-je à Mbombog ?
Copyright 2010
Aujourd`hui je suis malade
Et c`est a Titi que je m`en prends
S`il ne m`avait pas amené ici à la Délégation
Je n`aurais pas vu sa chaude.
Maintenant que les dés sont jetés
Que faire ?
Qui formera les équipes ?
Qui fermera le Camp Yayap ?Et que dirai-je à Mbombog ?
Copyright 2010
samedi 16 octobre 2010
TWO MEN FROM NOWHERE
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
They`re still here
Here where I left them
Here now, like before, like after
They`re on the spot
As if rooted
Or cast in concrete
Perhaps they`re a tablet of Moses` commandment stone
Yet, unlike Lot`s wife
They`re not transformed into pillars of stone.
In this cultural capital where nature will always stare
We all honour the Fon, I mean Sehm
But these two standing men with no rafter
Look like they have a secret plot
Or have they just been wrong footed?
They have stood for long but are discreet
Are they then looking for the lost bone?
Do they know why Godot`s vacuum became rampant and rife?
Well, as long as they`re not hit by a thunderbolt.
Copyright 2010
They`re still here
Here where I left them
Here now, like before, like after
They`re on the spot
As if rooted
Or cast in concrete
Perhaps they`re a tablet of Moses` commandment stone
Yet, unlike Lot`s wife
They`re not transformed into pillars of stone.
In this cultural capital where nature will always stare
We all honour the Fon, I mean Sehm
But these two standing men with no rafter
Look like they have a secret plot
Or have they just been wrong footed?
They have stood for long but are discreet
Are they then looking for the lost bone?
Do they know why Godot`s vacuum became rampant and rife?
Well, as long as they`re not hit by a thunderbolt.
Copyright 2010
MARCHE A L`UNISSON
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Main dans la main
Ils avancent, ensemble
Vers un avenir commun et prospère
Ils ont vue la terre promise
Ils chantent ce renouveau
Jailli des cendres de leur père sacrifié.
Demain ils composeront de meilleurs lendemains
Dans les rues, a la plage, sur le sable
Ils n`auront plus besoin de points de repère
Car les rosis marges seront là, chose promise
Tout ce dont ils auront besoin c`est l`agneau
Ainsi seront-ils toujours éclairées et édifiés.
Copyright 2010
Main dans la main
Ils avancent, ensemble
Vers un avenir commun et prospère
Ils ont vue la terre promise
Ils chantent ce renouveau
Jailli des cendres de leur père sacrifié.
Demain ils composeront de meilleurs lendemains
Dans les rues, a la plage, sur le sable
Ils n`auront plus besoin de points de repère
Car les rosis marges seront là, chose promise
Tout ce dont ils auront besoin c`est l`agneau
Ainsi seront-ils toujours éclairées et édifiés.
Copyright 2010
ENFANTS MODELES
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Je vois ces trois enfants
Ils sont en communion
Comme les douze disciples
Ils sont en tête-à-tête ; à huis clos
Comme les membres de la commission.
Toi qui vis dans le néant
Quelle est ta position ?
Tes sorties nocturnes sont-elles toujours multiples ?
Vas-tu donc porter ces enfants au dos ?
Ou pécheras-tu par compromission ?
Copyright 2010
Je vois ces trois enfants
Ils sont en communion
Comme les douze disciples
Ils sont en tête-à-tête ; à huis clos
Comme les membres de la commission.
Toi qui vis dans le néant
Quelle est ta position ?
Tes sorties nocturnes sont-elles toujours multiples ?
Vas-tu donc porter ces enfants au dos ?
Ou pécheras-tu par compromission ?
Copyright 2010
APOCALYPSE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
Lorsque le moment viendra
Nul ne s`en rendra compte
On entendra seulement retentir une voix
Le ciel s`ouvrira
Et une pluie sans précédent s`abattra sur nous.
Loin, très loin de la
Et au cœur de la nuit
On entendra des battements de tamtams
Avec des voix de femme étouffées
Aucun homme n`osera s`approcher
Jusqu`a ce que le fils préféré revienne.
Copyright 2010
Lorsque le moment viendra
Nul ne s`en rendra compte
On entendra seulement retentir une voix
Le ciel s`ouvrira
Et une pluie sans précédent s`abattra sur nous.
Loin, très loin de la
Et au cœur de la nuit
On entendra des battements de tamtams
Avec des voix de femme étouffées
Aucun homme n`osera s`approcher
Jusqu`a ce que le fils préféré revienne.
Copyright 2010
MEN ON MISSION
By Tikum Mbah Azonga
We`re not countrymen
Rather, we`re ombudsmen
And we stand here, all of us
To set the record straight.
We may not have prayed in Bethlehem
Or even worshipped in Manyemen
But if you ask us about papyrus
You at once become a wanton bait.
Copyright 2010
We`re not countrymen
Rather, we`re ombudsmen
And we stand here, all of us
To set the record straight.
We may not have prayed in Bethlehem
Or even worshipped in Manyemen
But if you ask us about papyrus
You at once become a wanton bait.
Copyright 2010
MON DOS D`ANE
Par Tikum Mbah Azonga
J`ai le vent en poupe
Alors, laissez-moi jouer la vie en paix
Il est vrai que je ne suis pas Madame Soleil
Mais toujours est-il que le futur est rose
Après tout, n`avons-nous pas gagne la loterie ?
Suis-je devenu le chien à la loupe
Qui refuse de reconnaitre les faits ?
Je pense toujours aux mille soleils
Idem pour le Bisontin Hugo et toute sa belle prose
Alors, pour un petit prix je peux recommencer la poterie.
Copyright 2010
J`ai le vent en poupe
Alors, laissez-moi jouer la vie en paix
Il est vrai que je ne suis pas Madame Soleil
Mais toujours est-il que le futur est rose
Après tout, n`avons-nous pas gagne la loterie ?
Suis-je devenu le chien à la loupe
Qui refuse de reconnaitre les faits ?
Je pense toujours aux mille soleils
Idem pour le Bisontin Hugo et toute sa belle prose
Alors, pour un petit prix je peux recommencer la poterie.
Copyright 2010
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)
