We, the members of this New Generation
Whose handwritings have not been well read
Must come with these rags on our bodies
To sing and dance, and to pay homage.
We have dropped our self-styled acumen
And accept the vagabond spirit that inflicts us
With insomnia like a simmering fire.
We, the modern writers of no straight lines
Commissioners in the world of literature
Displaying pains as our symbols of office
And not given to any judged restraints.
As we return to write in plenty As and Zs
We flashed the rainbowed truth as thunderclap
Announcing the rays of the eyes of the gods.
We, the dancers of new tunes and political slogans
Have changed our lines into spoken stories
And stand above imposition from stray overlords.
We resist internal struggles distorted by fears
We dance at the same fire spot our warriors
Breath their last, singing unheard songs
Broad daylight looters cannot twig after all.
We, the newly schooled wailers must
Go on taking snapshots from the poets of memory.
We are dancing around as restless flames
In the village square since 1960, spreading
Our turbulent voices mixed with wine, oil,
And blood. We refused bitter pills of self-worth.
We are sure more imported biros nearby
Are coming through Seme borders. In triumph
We, dance, we fight, we wine till the end.
Check other poems from the same griot
Charles Akwen
Charles TERSEER Akwen, a poet, playwright, performer, photo(bio)grapher, literary and cultural critic, and Lawyer, is the author of several books among which are On this Land: Tattoos of Bulletholes (Poetry), and Across the Strait (Play). He is the founder of Transcultural Writers’ Network, and African Association of Taiwan Studies. He currently lectures in the Department of English, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria.
Amazing work, sir. Great flow, apt organization of thoughts and message clearly relayed. One word for this piece: top-notch.
African life has been a fragile daffodil tossed by the ferocious heartless whirlwind from the start. This poem speaks to the hearts of many. The is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
This is inspiring. Job well done sir.