By JK Bannavti
JK Bannavti with Mbella Sonne Dipoko at a book launch in Yaounde - Oct. 31, 1990
It really does not matter that you became Chief;
You were Chief born in ink to cleanse society of filth.
It really does not matter that you swam in flowing wrappers;
That was your sackcloth for the death of shrimps and crabs.
It really does not matter that you spotted a white shirt over the wrappers;
You could not help a smile though the prawns were turning belly –up.
It really does not matter that you grew downward as Bontologue grew upward;
For while Bontologue’s horn bowed to the wind, you continued a straight course.
It really does not matter that you changed horse in the heat of day;
For some could see a day you would ride it to a running spring.
It really does not matter that you saw the world in black and white;
That is the genius of tossing out a wrapper from the wrath of snow.
It really does not matter that you spilled so much love out of your pen;
That is the sign that wisdom and power will adorn your steps with crowds.
It really does not matter that you stared so long at the peak of the mountain;
You were hoping the Chariot would rumble when the Mungo becomes a trickle.
You believed the Chariot would spit its fumes when shrimps turn upside down.
Helas! See them break the bridge and throw the tweaks into the burn fire!
See frogs stuffing their jaws even with water beetles!
Sea frogs have now surrounded the Mungo with barbwire!
And the feast of tadpoles and toads continues day and night!
Your children have been chased up hill!
Where springs are all dry, dry if they must feed the Mungo!
The land of palms and rubber is up in the flames!
The land of banana and tea is crumbling in dust!
And the people are left to ruin,
Even as marauding toads hop back to the forest,
And sea frogs return to sea.
But the Mungo is dry brother!
Dry and full of pebbles, rocks, foot tracks;
Dry and visited by the wind;
Dry and abandoned!
Yes Chief Dipoko!
You saw it sitting down!
We are seeing it standing up.
You were crying loud!
Now we cry sour!
Not that it really matters,
But it does.
JK Bannavti is poet-playwright who lives in New Jersey, USA.
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