Memories of a Legend - Philip Addo

You bid your soul farewell to the ancestral village
To grace an occasion
We have waited for minutes, hours and days
To welcome him back
The sun is going to rest once more
But the dust of Ahimaz is unseen

We have called him by all your names:
Fiifi! Atta Mills! John Evans Atta Mills!
We have used all your accolades:
Prof! President Mills! Asomdweehene!
But there is no response
Neither a sign of his whereabouts
Where should we search to find him:
Beneath the deep blue sea
Or beyond the dense blue sky?
Where should we climb to see him:
Afadjato, Kilimanjaro or Everest?

Uncle Atta! Egya Atta! Okunini Atta!
Ghanaians have gathered
Dignitaries have been welcomed
The forces have been lined up
School children are waiting to wave back your smiles
The press is poised to carry away your message of peace once more
And the perpetual frame is waiting to be lighted.
But your soul is not here to resurrect your mortal body.

Oh! Hmm! Is it all over?
Ei! Ei!! An object bigger than the head
Has fallen on the eye
Pains, sorrows and wailings have visited our homes
We are dirging
All our mornings have turned to mournings
Tears are rolling down our cheeks forming pools at out feets
White has wept to red

Papa, you were rejected and alone
Like a rose trampled on the ground
But your good handwritings on the wall
Are germinating as the days unfold:
You came to feed; not to fleece.

Prof! Prof!! Prof!!!
The only professor in presidency!
A hero’s welcome awaits you
In the land of our ancestors.
We will continue to miss that your sweet melody:
“My brothers and sisters, I am for peace”
Due! Due!!
Fare thee well.



Philip Addo is a regular contributor to One Ghana, One Voice.

If you have a poem in memory of President Mills, please send it to us at oneghanaonevoice(at)gmail(dot)com.

5 comments:

Your Pastor said...

Touching!!!

Darko Antwi said...

Thank you too, Philip.

There is fun whenever we group ourselves at OGOV. Least to say; it has been a pleasure passing words on the brilliant works published here over the years.

I have enjoyed your latest poem, as I did your previous two titles in the archive. I'm yet to comment on the gem I see in your writings.

Best wishes!

Philip Addo said...

thanks Antwi

Unknown said...

Thank you for your beautiful poem! President Atta Mills will certainly be missed. Read the condolences we posted on our website: http://www.commerceghana.com/node/357

Well wishes!

Philip Addo said...

Thanks for the compliment. I have also read your condolences as well as the great work you are doing on your website to unveil the investment opportunities in Ghana and I am highly touched. Keep up with the good work. Once again, I am grateful.