It is not for the riches nor the many stitches we see
Neither is it for the fashions nor great mansions we desire
And the residual abundances of the surplus redundancies
It is not for the tricks of the politician
Nor the ancient favouritism of man’s nepotism
But the very fate of man’s innate isms and schisms
It is not as good as the potion of the bitter bile
Nor the worrisome nagging song of the nocturnal bat
But the old legacies left by the scars of racism and ethnicism
It is not the criticism against the present government
Nor the count of vices against the previous’ resentment
But the very treachery against the dignity of humanity
Oh yes! I say it is for none of those we see in the media
Nor the countless lies and crying agenda of propaganda
But the sad defect of disrespect of the societal intellect
It is not of the many morn traffics we hurdle through
Nor our several years of boil in toil upon the desert soil
But a sheer ear to the people’s clarion call for the uprising
It is not for the rattle of rifle in search for power and title
Nor of the Western colonialism and stern imperialism
But a mere squint to the people for their deprived dues
While we go behind a shutter without water
Living in the ghetto with the wailing motto
But never getting heard, seen, nor touched
It is the lies we seek to uncover
The dignity denied to common humanity
And a dream to someday be remembered as numbered
But! Not for fame nor the very same game
But as a desperate young African wanting to be heard
And given the recognition as a royal son of Mama Africa
Friday 23 April 2010
The Dripping Tears of Africa - Appiah Grant
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I like the rhythmical flow of the poem. Good job!
ReplyDeleteWow! this is great! keep it up!
ReplyDeleteAs we’re bound by reading to picture ‘a desperate young African wanting to be heard’, each stanza in Appiah Grant’s poem appropriates ‘the dripping tears of Africa’ – and for that matter millions of citizens whose freedom of speech or association have been restrained.
ReplyDeleteGrant uses direct and straightforward language, yet readers have to rake through the annulment of the first and second lines of almost all the stanzas before they can come to terms with the underlying petition for ‘recognition’. While the humble request for recognition is brought forth in the concluding stanza, Grant eloquently levels colossal charges for his civil case – which is technically built-up line by line.
For such a case of neglect and deprivation, having a platform to address it is not enough. The art of delivery matters a lot. And as far as delivery is concerned, the oratorical force behind this verse is vibrant.
In cases where the views of the people have been neglected, it has led to violent demonstrations or revolt. Against all odds, ‘The Dripping Tears of Africa’ is democratic, and not unruly – never mind how confrontational it may sound in the ears of some African governments.
Well-written!
interesting piece.
ReplyDeletecriticisms they say are good! harsh or soft for construction in the ears of the prude. thanks OPANYIN DARKO i appreciate your analysis. i think its a lesson for the poetry class of 1-GH.thanks folks i hope u see more of me and in my UPCOMING COMPILATION TITLED "MANYWENSEM"-my poetry. nana i expected ur experimental view bt thnks all the same
ReplyDeleteThat is great. keep it up
ReplyDeletehey
ReplyDeleteI went through your poem,
It was fantastic, and emotional
in terms of what you tend to express as a young african,
really loved it,
that's been a great job, keep that up and you will make it much far than you think.