Wealth! Poem by DOMINIC PREMPEH

The pressure at home
The hunger of the soul
The sorry state of granny’s thatch
Accommodating generations un-end
And the struggle of family and friends
To make without success
All pushed me this far

We’ve planted throughout the seasons
Studied the weather and the climates
Planting and harvesting right
All in the search for you
Plentiful of you in our lives would ruin our trust in God
The very nature that brought us to being
So we seek a little of your presence

A little of u will do, for now
For we’ve cried, prayed, and cajoled your presence
Yet, you elude us
Man of plenty accolades
Shine your face, blink your eyes, and smile to us
Befriend us for a while
For we’re also humans; equally needing your presence

We know not your favourite colour
We would’ve painted it in our lives to attract you
And know not we your favourite fragrance
That would have been our body odour
We don’t even know where you particularly dwell
We would have made our homes there
Dire need to see you, please hear my cry

Dear mighty wealth
Call this epistle or memo; it is my piece to you
I know not your address, which I’ve searched for years
I would have come personally, in this wretched shape
To serve you, if that would change your mind
To befriend us for a while
And save us from this shame.

(Sept.29th,2013. Ofoase)