Poetic Justice (4)

By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr.

I am

no rabid hater,

dear enemy;

I did no devilish work

to deserve

your enemity:

I was minding

my own business

when you shot

your flintlock

through my roof -

dear enemy,

I did not ask

for this mid-morning

report of unprovoked

murders of my kinsmen

and women,

for the curious crime

of well-rewarded

diligence;

I only bear

glad tidings

of irrevocable

truths,

which are my choice

weaponry

against deceit...

dear enemy,

I am not afraid

of death,

my name ought to

tell you as much as

you desire and

need to know;

yes,

I am not afraid

of death

whose necklace

is my collar bone,

whose tentacles

are integral

to my destiny -

you cured me

of my fears

when your Abongo Boys

came for my kinsfolk

on the bench;

I am grandnephew

to Barima Ohemeng

whom you know

as Akyea-Mensah;

I know how to fight

bare-knuckled,

I am the scion

of Otumfuo Osei-Tutu

of Dwaben and

Asiakwa,

no presidential butler

nor herald is me,

I am

the spawn

of Osei-Tutu-Brempong,

fallen hero

of Prah,

son of Dwaben

Asona Clan,

Amuana-Praso

is my father's

stoolhouse

and throne,

Chief-Executioner

for Abuakwa-Susubiribi...

Silver-Stooled Mampong

is my cradle

of birth,

Nsawam-Adoagyiri

and Nkronso

are my footstools,

Nkoranza

is the germ

of my soul -

I go to sleep

at Manhyia

and arise

with the sun

at Adanse-Fomena;

enemy,

Boakye-Dankwa

is siblings with

Adwoa Apeakoramaa

of Kyebi-Adadientem,

grandniece of Dwaben's own

Onwona Asubonteng;

Adwampong

is my totem,

my dear enemy,

do I sound

like a Denkyira

slave?

10/6/13