IS MAN BY NATURE GOOD?

(For Ngong Bertrand)

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

Could people still be this good
Or am I dreaming?
Have heaven’s doors and windows
Suddenly flung open and whisked everyone up
With no ticket, no money, no strings?
Why have all the girls` faces brightened up
And all the boys` grips become firmer?
Surely there must be something in the offing.

Cars drive past and I am ticked off as ready food
Amphi 750 is full to the brim and still streaming
All oil paintings I see are like obsolete bows and arrows
Any attempts at changing money simply flop
Science students talk of nothing but concentric circles and rings
When I attempt to walk up the wrong way, all strung
Multiple hands stop me short of the garner
Today, I wonder how so suddenly man can be so much of an underling.


Copyright 2011

THE BUNCH WE ARE

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

Are we being hounded
Or simply being rounded
When meat pies become Sunday lunch
Then frankly, we`re nothing but a sorry bunch.

Copyright 2011

THE UNFORTUNATE JUG

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

Did you say, "River bird?"
Or was it "Cattle herd?"
So what about the red jug?
Or would you rather thrust it at the thug?


Copyright 2011

FACED WITH A WEAKENED PEOPLE

For sons and daughters of the Baforchu clan

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

Why so much sorrow in the oracle`s heart of hearts?
Why do cumulus and nimbus clouds gather momentum?
Why do the hillside palace owls mourn?
Why has the black smoke not fissured out?
Why is our Fon still snoring?

If the young people of the village think tradition is only an art
And thus reduce it to the age-old mbaghalum
Then perhaps they`re living in the shrine room
Ignoring the calls of Maformusong for all to come out
If this goes on, shall we be saved from perishing?

Copyright 2011