The Chief

Nana Ahwew VII - Tufuhen of Abora Wiomoah - Abora State - Central Region - Ghana

Fontomfrom, Fontomfrom 

Nana ɔrɛba ooo Nana ɔrɛba ooo 

The king sat on his throne looked around at all that was his home. 

Heavy is the head that wears crown.

The weight on the shoulders will wear him down. 

The spirit of the ancestors are with him. 

He has to bring the spirit from within to help in his rule

To protect his stool and win the hearts and support of the people around

 Nana tinasɛ, 

 Nana brɛ brɛ

 Nana brɛ brɛ

kete- kete- kete- pan

(c) Mariska Taylor-Darko 2011

Mini Mini Shoe Market

The sun was bright It was hot and sticky

 Market traders were out

 Customers being picky

 Suddenly in front of me

 Fantastic colours appeared 

Dazzling my eyes

 I saw the trader whose road side shop was

 Full of multi coloured shoes 

Every shoe had it's own story

Fruit Glorious Fruit by the roadside

The wonderfully colourful fruit

designed by God to entice the eyes and mouth 

call out "Buy me now"!  I am fresh, 

No pesticides, 

No GMO, 

No forced growth to ship abroad,

The fresh fruits, 

Rejected for export and considered imperfect 

But fresh for home use. 

Don't mind them, 

I am perfect for you,

"Buy me! I am yours!"

Rhythms of Poetry in Motion

My new poetry book is out - follow this link to order

The Sea Shore

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Sitting by the sea shore when dusk was setting in and the tide ebbing out

Was a peaceful moment for me,

The sand was damp in between my toes

I could still feel the warmth occasionally

When the wind stilled and all I could hear was

The water gently slapping the rocks besides me

The sky was red, orange, blue and grey

A combination that was wonderful to see

The gulls flew low on their way home

And the boats had their sails down, gently sailing

In no particular hurry to get back, so it seemed

The thoughts I had then were peaceful ones

I just sat and absorbed in the beauty around me

The crabs and seaweed seemed intertwined and moved in unison

One going sideways on its own fee will

The other having no will of its own was rolled about

Whenever the sea rolled in and out

If only life could be so peaceful,

Instead we fight against the nature of life

And end up tearing each other apart

Instead of rolling together in unison

We fight and hate and destroy

The very things that we love

Every grain of sand told a story of ones life

The ups and downs the joy and sadness

But it was the feel of the sand between my

Toes that I would have loved to have as the feel

Of life in my hands, smooth, flowing gently with

No obstacles and lumps and just the breeze to

Slightly change its direction before it landed and joined

The sand lying beneath my feet.

Loneliness

It creeps on you without you realizing it

Loneliness

There may be so much going on around you but its there

Loneliness

The silence, which was once welcomed, now changes to

Loneliness

The wide bed, which once was enjoyed, now shouts

Loneliness

No one to chat to, no one to gossip to, no one to stop the

Loneliness

Friends may be around, may call, may laugh and joke but in the end it is still

Loneliness

No unexpected phone call, no whispers of ‘I love you’ only

Loneliness

No touch when no one is looking, no secret glance into my eyes, only

Loneliness

No answer to the call of ‘I need you’ no SMS to let me know that wherever you are, you are thinking of me only

Loneliness

Friends may declare love but love without commitment leads to loneliness

The loneliness of staring at the phone, looking out the window, enough to drive you into the deeper pit of loneliness

Why did you leave me alone?

Why did you have to go?

Why did it have to end?

Why did you leave me with such

Loneliness?