THE LOWER WE DESCEND

Waterless rivers
Treeless forests
Lessonless education
Polless politics
Soon, childless childhoods will pave way
…for lifeless living
As child adults destroy the fabrics,
…the very fabrics of our nation
Thinking their stomachs a now to fill
…without future plans

II
Can’t learning beat the ignorance of division?
Can’t wisdom quench the fires of greed?
Can’t patriotism arrest the desires to feed selves
…as opposed to the national stomach which nourishes all?
Can’t our lions’ canines feast on dangers
…to protect our realm from looming attacks?
Can’t our giraffes look to see things which hide within and without
…to help us correct the wrongs in our midst?
Can’t thoughts of future wellbeing overpower corruption
…to stop the destruction of our resources?
Can’t we be an us
…gathering many a me to celebrate a we
…who worked to win and won to celebrate in their us?

III
Many questions are hawking on thought streets
As worry hovers
Many answers fruit on hope trees
If only we can harvest to plant them
If only we will harvest to plant them
If only…
If only
(Inspired by my good friend Dr. James Quartey, who is fighting to maintain forest reserves in Ghana, among many other things. May we all find parts of nature we love and improve upon and protect them.)
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © January 24, 2021