ABENA-KWABENA’S LAST LAUGH

Just as cocks never fail to crow at dawn
Abena-Kwabena’s presence was always accompanied by ridicule
And fingers were happy to be seen pointing
As deafening rumours talked loudly
…through heels of pleasure
Why?
Because Abena-Kwabena was the oldest spinster in Amankro
One who men have thrown their tin at
Never ever to be proposed to

II
Her dresses were criticised as odd
Her hair was made fun of as Maame Water’s
Her lipstick was thought to be devil’s blood
And when she wore heels,
Amankro’s many tongues sang her a witch on an unstable stick
So she lived unhappy
Always trying to hide under the cover of darkness

III
One fine Saturday,
When Amankro was having a nap
…due to many farm activities
Abena-Kwabena heard the loud voice of Pokua’s second born
She cried like a pig on a slaughter table
So Abena-Kwabena rushed into their room
Only to see the girl’s father deep within the bloody little lady
…of her poor daughter
A self made hymen broken into
Like a thief
Abena-Kwabena’s shrilled cries were heard even in the neighbouring farms
And brought many scampering to witness
…one of the very shames of Amankro
Apparently, this was the reason their first daughter bolted like thunder
Into a cocoon unknown

IIIb
A repeat offender,
Opokua’s husband was banished from Amankro
But even with her head bowed in shame
Her tongue wagged with the rest
…to shame Abena-Kwabena
Who was gaining trust in her spinsterhood

IV
Then another scandal broke
After Obaapa Christy’s husband stole her gold ornaments
…and vanished like air
Her sad cries and weary soliloquys of how she’d take care of her six children alone
Were the sad songs of Amankro for months
But she still found happiness in turning Abena-Kwabena into a laughing stock

V
Auntie Efe’s drunkard of a husband was all over Amankro
Stealing palm wine from tapped and flowing palm trees
And making gutters his bedroom
Still, he was her source of pride
Whenever husbandless women were on laughing display-
Abena-Kwabena, as the president of that unfortunate group,
Akua Birago –
…whose husband, Kofi Nketsia
…dug into anyone and anything
…including goats, sheep and chickens
Also had the pride to laugh at Abena-Kwabena with her chin up

VI
One fine Friday,
As Abena-Kwabena was going to her saloon to work
She met some of the proud wives of some of the horrible men of Amankro
Exhibiting their laughter and trying hard
…to make mockery of her
She immediately gathered courage
And named the very “beautiful” traits of their husbands
She boldly exclaimed
“It is funny how those in the best marriages
…never make fun at people like me
I’d rather die than live in your beautiful homes
Homes where some are punching bags
Slaves to shame of your husbands
As they dangle submission on your skies to shut you up
I even know that Baisiwaa’s husband never contributes to his children’s upkeep
With the excuse that she can save money and become disrespectful
Yet, he loves fresh meals each day
And insists on the biggest and juiciest meats
Look at your one finger pointing at me
But you continue neglecting the others pointing your way
Look into mirrors proud wives!
You’re the shame you seek to poke fun at your lives
…not me”

VI
The women burst out in uncomfortable laughter
Which lasted only for three seconds
And looked at each other,
As Abena-Kwabena walked off in a hilarious fit,
As if they’ve suddenly realized
…that they’ve lived and are still living like laughing stocks
Parading in delusional mockery of the most honourable
And free woman in Amankro
…one they wish they were like
Even in all their fitting societal model dresses
…on the runway of marriage
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © October 2, 2020