In mockery, you countered with a smile
With humor, your opponents' ridicule diffused
In muddiness, yet your slate stands untainted
Man of peace and humility
Fallen but with grace and dignity
Indeed, death does conquer all
But not your clean seat and high raised flag!
Adjei Agyei-Baah is a Ghanaian poet and 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.
Looking at your young days
Funny memories flash back
I would have loved to be there
And feast my eyes on thy youthful grace
An apple eve, daddy was not wrong
To have taken a humble bite
A black beauty of contours and design
Who could make the poet words fall out of line
But now taking a second look at your face
Tells a different story of worry
Has time become the thief of your former self?
No! I stubbornly did it
My rebellious acts called for screams
Causing veins to stand up in vain
A gaze at your forehead furrows
Tells a story of worry that knew no apology
But your forgiveness came
Even when not sought
Your fallen breast registers my sleeplessness
Your humbled frame registers my restlessness
So who then say Time did brush away your beauty?
I did!
Because I was glued to you better than he was
Hence:
Take my humble praise
Sweet precious mama
“No mother no home”
“No woman no comfort”
You are a mother like no other
For you deserve an everlasting salute
That must walk over a hoot and a boot!
Biography:
Adjei Agyei-Baah is a 32-year old Ghanaian living in Ghana. He holds a MBAe in Strategic Management and Business Consulting from KNUST School of Business, Ghana. He is an adjunct lecturer University College of Management Stidies (UCOMS), Kumasi.
Some of Adjei's poems have been published on numerous websites, including his personal blog, kwakubaa.blogspot.com. He accidentally discovered his talent of writing when, while undertaking research work on children’s rhymes, he was asked by his supervisor create some poems of his own poems. Adjei is married and blessed with a baby boy.
Five Questions with Adjei Agyei-Baah:1. What do you plan on doing on Mother’s Day to celebrate?
I intend to give my mother a special treat at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Kumasi. Last year’s Mothers Day had been horrible and heart-rending. TV 3 had chosen my entry as a winner in a contest for their Mother's Day 2009 program: "Mother with a Purpose". Because of this she was invited to be interviewed on the show. The sad part of the story was that she came home with no prize and no interview granted her; a reason I think was best known to the organizers of the event. So I want take this opportunity to make amends.
2. Will you show this poem to your mother? If you did, what do you think her reaction would be?
I will definitely do that, but I will have to translate it into our local dialect for her to appreciate it better. I think she will definitely laugh and give me the biggest hug that I could ever dream of and say in her mind: “Nutty boy, you always find a way of paying for stubbornness; I thank God for bringing you into my life”.
3. What's your message to all the Moms out there other than your own on their special day?
They are the blessed centers of the universe... without them everything else ceases to exist! No mother, no home, no woman, no comfort. They deserve and everlasting salute that must walk over a hoot and a boot.
4. You're crafting yourself into OGOV's "occasional poet". What upcoming holidays do you hope to write about next?
I intend to write on Ghana’s Independence Day and also Pan-African Day which are too far way, at least to give room for others to get published too.
5. Are there any new things happening in your writing life, or in your life in general, that you think our readers might be interested in?
I am currently editing and rewriting my old works to get published by Author House, US.
Contact Adjei:kwakubaa(at)yahoo.com
Let the stars lose their grip and fall
Let the sun suspend its light
And make the moon angry and moody
Just to bring lovers’ walk to a sudden halt
Let the rainbow refuse to give its colours
And my love for you will remain unshaken
Let the rain refuse to quench the desert’s thirst
Let the ocean refuse to wave and kiss the shore
Let the strong winds forever continue
To keep the flowers in tremble
And my love for you will remain unshaken
Let the skies tumble
Let Sicily’s Etna spit its fire
Let icebergs melt to overflow the sea
Let meteorites send shivers
Down the world’s spine
And my love for you will remain unshaken
Let butterflies starve flowers of their kiss
Let the harmattan continue to suck grasses pale
Let the land and the river struggle over eldership
Let computers continue to rule the world
My love for you remains unshaken.
Biography:Adjei Agyei-Baah is a 31-year old Ghanaian living in Ghana. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management and Consultancy Service from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business, Kumasi. He is an adjunct lecturer in Management Studies.
Some of Adjei's poems have been published in www.modernghana.com and www.kpokplomaja.com. He accidentally discovered his talent of writing when undertaking a research work on children’s rhymes and was asked by his supervisor create his own poems after selecting already existing rhymes from foreign poets. Some of his award winning poems include Mother Is Supreme (Luv FM Mothers’ Day Poetry Promo, 2008) and Similes of Love (Hello FM Valentine's Day Poetry Competition, 2009).
Five Questions with Adjei Agyei-Baah:1. Was this poem written for someone in particular? And are you lucky enough to be able to spend Valentine's Day with them?
Yes, this poem was written for my fiancee Benedicta, whi is now my dearest wife. In our relationship she once posed a question as to what could bring our relationship to an end, and I decided to respond with this piece. I am fortunate to be sharing this occasion with her, but the sad thing is that we will not be able to go out since her condition now will not permit that. I don't meant that she is sick but just heavy - I think you know what I mean. It will be a moment of reflection on our sweet old days - the good things that have happened and those that are yet to come, not forgetting those who have impacted on our lives.
2. This is your second "occasional" poem on the site. What do you think of as the "shelf life" of your poems? By that I mean, are you hoping more for your poems to be timeless (to speak to future generations), or for them to have a strong impact here and now, at the moment that you share them with others? Obviously, it would be wonderful if a poem could do both, but if you had to choose one, what would it be?
I have always gone in for poems that would be timeless to make me live when I am dead and besides stay to inspire the generation to come, so that they will not only enjoy it but take lessons from it. I also wish to make them feel that they can write and leave their mark for generations to come, and to use it to express themselves whenever they are in love or want to show love to someone.
3. You mentioned in your last profile that you were about to start a poetry recitation competition for students. Could you give us an update on that project?
We are half way through the project as the audition in the various schools have been done. What is left is waiting on the sponsors who promised us some packages for the students, which they are yet to deliver.
4. What does Valentine's Day mean to you and why is it worth celebrating?
Valentine’s Day to me is a day of showing much love to friends, family, lovers and not forgetting the needy. It is worth celebrating because it gives me and my church the opportunity to gives to the orphanages and organize party for the children there and also to spend time with our friends, family and especially with the one we went to spend the rest of our life with.
5. Do you have a Valentine's Day message for all the lonely hearts out there?
There are seasons for everything, time to be lonely hearted and time to have someone to love and care for you, but the most important thing is to love yourself more and there is a God that loves you much much more than you can imagine.
Contact Adjei:kwakubaa(at)yahoo.com
The edenic garden
On a desert of gold
Ashanti!
The empire whose boundaries were only penetrated
With treaties, never cannons
Ashanti!
The kingdom whose monarchy was furiously fissured
Yet could not be humbled into crumbles
Ashanti!
The people whose culture and tradition
Is a feast of smiling stars in their sparkling splendor
Ashanti!
The kingdom whose majestic steps always tame the troubled waters
Ashanti!
The empire whose gold has given the world a stool
Ashanti!
The kingdom whose installation of kings
Make the whole world walk to Manhyia
Ashanti!
The people whose hospitality
Turns strangers into natives
Ashanti!
The master weavers of kente
Tutored by no one but the legendary Ananse the spider
Ashanti!
The only people on earth united by a golden stool
Ashanti!
The porcupine warriors
Who never knows retreat or surrender
Ashanti!
The porcupine warriors
Who never run out of quills!
Biography:
Adjei Agyei-Baah is a 31-year old Ghanaian living in Ghana. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management and Consultancy Service from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business, Kumasi. Some of his poems have been published in www.modernghana.com and www.kpokplomaja.com. He accidentally discovered his talent of writing when undertaking a research work on children’s rhymes and was asked by his supervisor create his own poems after selecting already existing rhymes from foreign poets. Some of his award winning poems include Mother Is Supreme (Luv FM Mothers’ Day Poetry Promo, 2008) and Similes of Love (Hello FM Valentine's Day Poetry Competition, 2009).
Five Questions with Adjei Agyei-Baah:1. April 26th, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of Asantahene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II's ascendancy to the Golden Stool. What significance does this event hold for you personally?
The event signifies the unity among the Ashantis which has consecrated and dignified the Golden Stool of which its occupant Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II can celebrate such a day. This event is going to bring people from all over the world to Kumasi and as such Kumasi will be opened to people with ideas that can help develop the city. The event also shows the contributions of our traditional rulers to the socio-economic development of our country.
2. Do you think poetry can help keep Akan culture alive and thriving? If so, what role do you think contemporary English-language poetry can play?
Yes! Poetry has been part and parcel of the Akan culture dating back to time immemorial. I believe poetry can keep Akan culture alive and thriving if given the needed attention. The sad story is that poetry is only given the needed attention on great occasions like this. I think it is hard time a platform is created for it as a form of weekend entertainment for people to express themselves in divergent ways before society moves out of control. I will say yes because it is an avenue for Akan and Africa in general to define themselves before someone else does.
I will say contemporary English-language poetry has helped take Akan culture to a higher pedestal. It had been the medium to spread the Akan culture (specifically through poetry) to other people who could not read and understand our native language (Twi). Language becomes more meaningful and beneficial when it helps communicate and bridge the gap between various cultures. And I think contemporary English-language poetry has performed that role.
3. Your poem seems to be bridging the gap between oral traditions and written traditions. When writing it poem, did you intend for it to be read on the page, or to be performed?
This poem was actually written to perform at 10th Anniversary of Asantahene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II scheduled on April 26th, 2009. I wrote it as an appellation which is an oral literature but later decided to get it published. Hence its styles of constant repetition which makes it appear more oral in its outlook.
4. Occasional poetry (poetry written for an occasion) is a rather obscure genre of poetry in many parts of the world. What relevance do you think occasional poetry has in Ghana? How do you think Ghanaian poets can harness occasional poetry to better reach their audience?
Occasional poetry is relevant, as it give the chance to audience to appreciate the subject matter better. There is a direct appreciation of poetry by the listener as he can relate the lines of the poem to the actual event. Besides, occasional poetry can stimulate people to write poems when their thoughts are provoked on such days like Mother's Day, Valentine’s Day etc. On such occasion, people who do not often write are compelled to write some lines for their loved ones.
5. Do you have any new projects or poems that you are working on that you would like to share with our readers?
Currently I am a part of a trio running a poetry recital competition dubbed Open Mic Poetry - Bringing Poetry to Life for students in Ghana. This program will come off in July 2009 and any form of assistance from your readers would be welcomed. Besides this, I’m almost done with some poems with the titles: "Letter to God," "Walking Asset" and others which I hope to share with others in the days to come.
Contact Adjei:kwakubaa(at)yahoo.com
Wish I could unplug
This broken heart of mine
And cease it from this incessant throb of pain
Wish I could take my heart back to God for repairs
And keep it away from the eyes of lustful women
Who had many times stolen it away
Wish I could trade this tortured heart of mine for a baby’s
This heart now loaded with thorns and broken glass
Giving nothing but endless piercing and bleeding
Wish I could mend this devastated heart of mine
And make all the once broken cords vibrate again
And have a heart filled with true love, laughter and a little lie.
Biography:
Adjei Agyei-Baah is a 31-year old Ghanaian living in Ghana. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Strategic Management and Consultancy Service from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology School of Business, Kumasi. Some of his poems have been published in www.modernghana.com and www.kpokplomaja.com. He accidentally discovered his talent of writing when undertaking a research work on children’s rhymes and was asked by his supervisor create his own poems after selecting already existing rhymes from foreign poets. Some of his award winning poems include Mother Is Supreme (Luv FM Mothers’ Day Poetry Promo, 2008) and Similes of Love (Hello FM Valentine's Day Poetry Competition, 2009).
Five Questions with Adjei Agyei-Baah:1. How long have you been writing poetry?
I have been writing poetry since 1996, specifically at my second year at the Offinso Teacher Training College, Ashanti.
2. Who are your favorite poets? Which poets have most inspired and informed your work?
My favorite poets are Oswald M. Mtshali, Kofi Awoonor, S. K. Okleme, Lord Byron, Andrew Marvell and Langston Hughes. However, the one whom I have drawn much inspiration from is the late Joseph Hill of Culture fame. I am many times fascinated by his choice of words; I think his lyrics have had a great impact on my life. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
3. What do you hope to accomplish with your poetry?
I hope my poetry will make people appreciate the beauty in nature and also make them reflect over their past actions and make amends where they might have gone wrong. Above all, I hope my poems bring strength to the weary, hope to the oppressed and humor to the depressed. For it encompasses all what life has taught me and I’m ready to share it with anyone who wants to learn.
4.What is your opinion on the state of African poetry today?
Poetry has not been given its right place in Africa. Many think that poetry is meant to be appreciated only by poets. Also, our predecessor who started poetry packaged their works in language which was beyond the grasp of the ordinary man. This move made poetry seemed like a material for academic exercise. But gradually it is making a headway as it is now recited on television and in bars, especially in Ghana, as a form of entertainment.
5. With whom do you generally share your poetry? Do you work with any other poets to help improve your writing?
I do usually share my poems with friends and colleagues at my work place. Besides that I enjoy reading my poems on a programme called African Radio Theatre which run on Saturdays on Focus FM, the official radio station of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. My poems are at times edited by my former lecturers and my friends who are also poets. At times I may perfect my lines from the comments people make about my poems on the internet.
Contact Adjei:kwakubaa(at)yahoo.com
