THE BIG FALL (For Ohemaa Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem)

As many leaves fall to pave way for new
So do humans fall for space for new
Many leaves have fallen in this harmattan
Which winds uprooted the strong root
Of a great palm
Shaking the grounds of the unshakeable Ashanti Kingdom?

II
Hunger has no bluetooth
But the elders say
Only a mother feels the hunger of her children
Why did you drop your loving and protective umbrella
From the head of Nana Osei Tutu II
In this pelting stones and arbitration adding rains of sadness?
Nana Hemaa, where is thy face
When mansions seek to be blessed with your vision?

III
Kind heart in regal bones!
Fine art in perfect body!
Perfect model of rightness of culture!
Ohemaa’s feet in ahenema!
Ohemaa’s body in sika ntama!
Ohema’s shiny smooth black skin!
Tuntum brane!
Ohemaa’s tongue stirring the proper Akan language with anwinsem made from the chambers of wisdom!
You truly will be missed!
Nana Hemaa!
One whose womb begets kings even suns bow to look
Matriarch turned legend!
Although time’s cutlass ruthlessly cuts lives
It dared not until the gods made your path!
You did live to command death!
Even so, we mourn
For who can smile when their honeypot breaks?

IV
We cry rivers for our loss
Mourn ourselves for our heartbreak
But celebrate your life and blessed journey
You were born to stand first in all
Even your death marking first in a triple
Age of blessedness
Nana Ampem!
First daughter of Asante Kingdom!
Loving daughter of Yaa Asantewaa’s lineage!
Firm, strong, brave
Fearful to all enemies!
Angel to all friends!
Nana nanti yie o!
Rest not until you have told all our hardships to the ruling ancestors
Sit only to watch Asanteman and Ghana prosper
Sleep only when your people know the best of peace
You sacrificial soul
Talking peace even in death!

V
Nana Serwaa!
Serwaa Brakatu!
Kotoko Hemaa nnimpong!
One who porcuppines will kill themselves to protect if death had abducted!
Lucky death! Its gates stood in bow for your entrance
Nana Kobi Ampem eeei!
Nana!
Damirifa due!!
Due due ne amanehunu!!!
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia (c) Nov. 24, 2016