A State of Mental Dysfunction - A Poem

A state of mental dysfunction

We are on a mission to commit suicide:

So help us Lord.

Let us build mansions tall enough to hide our deficiencies,

And share pepper smeared with fresh faeces

As gold for the poor.

Let the people talk about how our fart smells

For a week;

While they are at it let us fill our paunches

And add an ounce of gold to the tip

Of our imported leather-made shoes.

When they almost see us,

Let us bathe our bodies in oil

As black as ourselves, and

Use dollar notes as stickers, so

We shall not be seen. When they look

Into our eyes in search of some truth,

Let it be that of a baby's – pitch black pupil

Reflecting our mildness and innocence, yet

Deep and white of uncertainties

Unspoken of.

When those of us as yet to announce

Battles with their conscience

Betray this esteemed group with their good, Lord

Let them carry the burden of the night soil

Till their necks break and then death.

We shall arrange a funeral

In one of the saintly churches

And sing foreign hymnals, alien

Enough for the tired lips of those of old

We attend with money taken with

The breath of night and a killed mind;

A chorus of adieus for you, and

Those like you

For our tongues have lost sounds of due!!!

We know when we pull down panties, and zips

The child playing at the corner will see

How rotten are our bottoms;

So let us swim in black oil, and hot gold.

Let our decayed tooth

Weak with sweets be changed into shapes of gold

So when we turn to smile

The toddler would giggle a while

And tap with her left hand the red earth.

Lord

You will know we have arrived

With offerings of suffering

From the people; and,

You must help us!

2 November, 2010. Legon at dawn