ALIU MAHAMA STREET

Dear Aliu Mahama Street, I have seen you from your so so to your asphalt
Many questions hover in my mind
I’d like to ask if you don’t mind
At this time when darkness is a great cloth
And sapiens’ rest is a great assurance

II
I fear none today
For the sleeping Nkrumah students embolden me
And our great wall promises protection
I hope you don’t mind my troubling you
At this time of your rest

III
You carry cars on your pate
Big, small, rickety, without complaints
You host feet at all times
Without as much as a squeak or a groan
…talk less of an annoyance
You keep your composure in the rains
You embrace the dust
You crack not in harmattan
You work throughout
Caring not about your look and state
How do you do it?

IV
Humans break down doing so little
Emotions hurt after battling few hurdles
Fears lurk in our dark
Mouths demonstrate frustrations
…in songs ears find repulsive and or relatable
Even some turn their backs on life
But you are resolute in your resolve to serve
Asking for nothing
Needing not much but occasional patch ups
Even that, you never complain
…till your state, our eyes disdain
Just how do you do it?

V
You carry busy students in the thousands during the day
You carry busy bikes in the hundreds during the day
You carry busy vehicles in their most at all times
Yet you tire not
Complain not
Fight not
Hurt not
Even when human mistakes cause a fall
You’re subtly blamed and labeled
But you still remain faithful
A great servant to our rude needs
How do you do it?

VI
Teach me to teach our leaders
So we can work better as a nation!
Teach me to teach our politicians
So we can be managed better as a country!
Teach me to tell our chiefs
So we can be able to hold our cultures together
For we need a yous to break through
…our chaoses
We need your nature to build better structures
We need your faithfulness to better serve us
The madness of chewing ourselves
…is leaving sores difficult to heal
So help us

VII
Please help us
Help heal the betrayal in us!
Please help us
Help make us loyal!
Please help us
Help make us selfless
On this night I disturb you with my traumas
I hope you listen
I really really hope you listen and help
So this ordinary pen
…can sleep for you to rest
…in nights to come
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © September 17, 2021