I am left alone
In this fence of sharks
But when I say it
Many think I am not well in the up
My parents travel first to the land of the spirit
Left me here with four sets of twins
And just three cowries
To breath and eat
We have no food
We have no shelter
We’ve bought no water
Just our little covers, so to the village we go.
Ataa Panyin 1 has to go to school
In the school of our taxes
The overseer asks for ten cowries
When I have just three turned one
I go to another tax school
And they ask for ten
Hope is lost, stop the school
Stay at home and let us weed
I go to my father’s farm
And the head wants a fee
How much?
He says 100 cowries
I call for the elders
They promise to help
But they asked for their palms to be greased
How much? They say 10 each, when they are eight
I go to the chief’s palace
To seek for help
I’m asked for schnapps before his face is unveiled
How much? I am told 50 cowries
I throw the idea through the naught window
And pests on my aunt who never fails to say
Give me a cowrie, pay some of the bill
Do you think it is easy? The life of feeding mouths?
I try to sell smiles
So I go a long mile
To avoid detection
And save my face
But seller of selves
Ask for their cut
Even before I start
And it is 20 cowries, I ran
I go to other farms to look for firewood
i get a bunch and tie only to be caught
I cry tears of blood but end up in the palace
I’m asked to pay a fine which gets me laughing
They shout in annoyance
They shout my disrespect
They warn to have me captured
But I still laugh, they get concerned and ask me why,
And all I can say is:
I am left alone
In this fence of sharks
But when I say it
Many think I am not well in the up
Turn to the left
Turn to the right
All they ask for
Is just the worldly cowrie
Beat me if you want
Kill me if you want
Make sure you’re satisfied
But know cowries grow not on trees.
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia (c) 2014.
Mum Cee 