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Sierra Leona - My First
Love
Roland Bankole Marke
Florida, USA
bankole@mindspring.com
Friday,
April 20, 2007
She gave me the first
breath and key to life
And anointed me with its alabaster ointment
Anchored root that fused nature with nurture
I quest for her refreshing Atlantic sea breeze
Unadulterated musical flow from Bush-wata
Once natural, devoid of human acculturation
Like a crafted chip from God’s assembly line.
But many stigmatize her
as land in disrepute
Where barbarism and violence bloom bright:
A coniferous mountain with blood diamond;
Stone-age jungle that's hostile to civilization.
But who did initiate all this endemic violence,
Who loads deep pockets with bloody profits?
Her destiny is decreed
by the god at Mt. Olympus?
Pundit dubbed it that God has left Sierra Leona
The blind beggar with leprosy and stretched hands
Pursuing sojourners with fixed eyes expecting alms
Several people only passed by on the opposite side
Silver diamond and gold’s lust with none to spare:
Rationally, fallen cotton tree's taller than grass:
Samaritan appears, fusing passion with compassion
Experience teaches me to rise up and walk upright.
Twilight
A brisk twilight
shredded our bleeding hearts
Inevitable journey of Alpha’s shocking flight
Patience had endured Lucifer’s grueling fight
Could be craving ripe fruits of lifetime toil
He charmed humanity with sweet generous heart
A singing heart like his accomplished mission
Death's sting ruined such unfathomable bond
But Father Abraham’s bosom holds watertight
In celestial garden nectar of love blooms white
His faith like oyster clings to protective shell
Invincible so infallible architect shepherds best
Predestined solace the hallmark of timeless rest
Enduring bliss permeates God’s celestial breast
Well done dear faithful brother enter quiet nest.
Dedicated to late Dr. Alpha Sheriff’s blessed memory.
Child Soldier
Haggard, innocent and
brain washed
AK47 drags amid heartbeat trauma
Probably nine or ten grueling years
Boy or girl conscripted into warfare
Bush-bred and deprived of school
Hungry soul grim ordeal to survive
Blurred speech with irrational mind
Product of hallucinogen makeover
Dangerous pekin the fantasy of war
mandated extinction of life itself
And kills and rapes blood or alien
Our homegrown detested criminal
Of evaporated reasoning mentality
Potent arsonist and minor terrorist
And childhood dreams are ruined
Blurred integrity, empathy nailed
Psychological as brain trauma agony
Still culture of violence blossoms
Greed and lust our demise recipe
Therapy's necessary, but who cares?
Endangered blood diamond breed
Propagate the truth war's demonic.
Africa's Drumbeat
Entertainment soars
feverish in arena
Barefooted, swift and trembling feet
Dancers parade in ceremonial attire
Rainbow colors breathe-borne revue
Perfumed aroma crowd is more tense
Deep breath as immortal soul sings
In frenzy ecstasy as parade advances
Trembling crescendo as explosive melody
Jive spirited notes and drumbeat freak
Soul and spirit gyration to amalgamate
Dancers shrill as vibrant music swings
Crafted groove spirited passion sings
Like a terrorist traitor enters arena
Humanity moans amid
quick frenzied mood
Sad demonic tune to desecrate the mood
Shaking mystic wand evil becomes history
Shift in Africa's drumbeat ruined destiny
Mind body and soul thirst for sonorous tune.
****
Roland Bankole Marke is a Sierra Leonean writer who lives in Florida.
He's the author of two collections of poetry: Teardrops Keep Falling
and Silver Rain and Blizzard. His most recent book -Harvest
of Hate: Stories and Essays; "Fuel for the Soul." Roland's work has
appeared in several journals and magazines including world Press, Free Press,
Florida Times Union, Mabayla Review, Liberia Sea Breeze and Pambazuka. He
can be reached at bankole@mindspring.com
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