tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555516329392912719.post2570526694754269469..comments2023-12-06T19:01:10.313+00:00Comments on One Ghana, One Voice: RIP Kofi Awoonor - A Call for Memorial PoemsRob Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06507320627534702508noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555516329392912719.post-62690742222169875562013-09-26T20:30:54.881+00:002013-09-26T20:30:54.881+00:00Well, I really don't know what to say. The sho...Well, I really don't know what to say. The shock and anguish is yet to abate. I wish to extend my sincere commiseration to the immediate family of the late Kofi Awoonor, and also to the entire people of Ghana, Ghanaian and African academia, Africa as as a continent and also to the diaspora. You have my condolences.<br /><br />As the late Kofi Awoonor says in his own poem "Rediscovery":<br /><br />"When our tears are dry on the shore <br />and the fishermen carry their nets home <br />and the seagulls return to bird island <br />and the laughter of the children recedes at night, <br />there shall still linger the communion we forged <br />the feast of oneness whose ritual we partook of."<br /> <br />Oh, what a coincidence! These were the same lines LS Mensah used as condolence message to me when I lose my own father in August, 2010.<br /><br />Now it's my turn to extend my own condolence messages to mourn the writer of the poem that was used to console me, even though I know that I am indeed also one of the chief mourners.<br /><br />Oh, how transient is life... what absurdities... what futility.... Is the Myth of Sisyphus truly a reality or a hoax? <br />================================<br /><br />To Kofi Awoonor:<br /><br />I know I will meet you again <br />someday <br />when visions of earthly things go dim<br />and the sun finally sets <br />over where the sea meets the sky<br />when there are no more boulders<br />to roll over hills over and over again<br />when there are no more gakogui<br />to shake the axatse of our misery<br />because that is when all dirges end.<br />Efo Kofi, hede nyui, ya wor odwogbaa!Delatrophyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05187687396058255540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7555516329392912719.post-19117140089933769032013-09-26T18:33:02.251+00:002013-09-26T18:33:02.251+00:00Thanks for your commendable regards to the memory ...Thanks for your commendable regards to the memory of late Kofi Awoonor which necessitated your considerate decision to temporarily suspend the series reviewing Ghanaian poetic influences so that we can focus on his tribute series. It is indeed a very wise decision.<br /><br /><br />Just like OGOV’s wise decision to suspend other series on its blog, the Storymoja Hay festival was also brought to an abrupt end on Saturday evening "in sympathy with those who have lost their lives or were injured" and for the safety of attendees.<br /><br />Kudos, OGOV!!!Delatrophyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05187687396058255540noreply@blogger.com