IN THE HARD DESERT

Adjovi loved her wealth
Even better than her health
She was like a kangaroo in many a big shopping mall
…hoping from hall to hall
Buying many a things never to be used
And many a few to be used and abused
Her parents never checked her spending
And so she grew up as an extravagant lady
…loving her spending
She was the boss lady!

II
It was her distant uncle who suggested the trip
Thinking it could help her get a grip
…on her spending
Her parents went on defending
…her, saying she is now a manager
Her uncle’s fear was an unknown future’s danger
Adjovi thought of it and agreed
What convinced her
Picture greed!
Her uncle, Koblavi, thought it fair

III
Deep in the desert
Adjovi asked for dessert
After finishing all their water
Complaining the desert was hotter
They managed to get to a water seller
Who was called Stella
Adjovi looked her up and down
And like clouds, gathered a fearful frown

IV
“When was the last time you took your bath?
Per my math
…it has been years!”
She mixed insults with jeers
And they fitted well like fufu and nkrakra
Stella looked at her like a bitter ɔkra
And gave a loud yell:
“I will not sell!”

V
Adjovi laughed it off and called her bluff
But hours showed her how thirst could be tough
…on throats
They were days into their journey and all they had was oats
She started getting weak
And rushed to Stella seek
Offering millions to buy a small cup of water
But nothing she did convinced the hoarder
Koblavi who had apologized got his drink
…as Adjovi’s throat tasted many a tight shrink

VI
She started coughing
Stella was laughing
A few begged on her behalf
But Stella needed to see her begging on her knees like a calf
It took a near death experience to have her plead
The others did intercede
Before she got a rescue
Never to ever such horrible profiling spew
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © October 13, 2020