TROTRO PALAVA

Like packaged sardines they sit face to face

With ears screaming its disgust 

The “Tabora, Alhaji, Lomnava” hallelujahs of the conductor cum driver

The airless arena breeds grumbling mouths and frowned faces

He sits quietly like a fish out of water

Dreading the very thought of other’s skinny seas touching his standing hairs

A sharp mouthed oldie breaks into his thoughts and brings him to court

“Why are you rubbing your body against mine?”

All mouths turn on him

“If you wanted to be free of rubbing

You should be in your own, Ofui, tonoo, ohiani in a coat”

He looks left, right, back and front

As vocal assaults rain in torrents

A cough from an eggy damped guttered mouth

Parades the air

Urine from the central pipe of a toddler sprays his clothes

Dust from a parking car completes his dressing

He gets down quietly and leaves

With mixed voices of the conductor and peeved others 

Trailing behind.

   Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia (c) 2014.