Woes of a Poet - George Amoah

I wish I could write better than this.
I wish I could write poetry
that sounds like a lullaby,
a sweet, sweet soothing melody
that will make all ears smile
for a while and say,
in their minds,
"This beats all by a mile."

I wish I could write better than this.
I wish I could use a poetry tool,
make it so cool
that no ears "boo."

I wish I could write a lyric,
a narrative or drama,
I wish I could communicate my feelings
of love, grief, happiness and despair
in my poetry so jaws will drop.

Oh God!

I wish I could use connotative words,
I wish I could use words beyond their denotations,
like “A flower represents delicacy,”
“Starry skies suggest something which has to look up.”

I wish I could write better than this.
I wish I could write a line as sweet as the taste of wine.
I wish I could write a stanza that will make me feel like I have won a bonanza.
A stanza that would turn ‘less’ into ‘more’ and still be concise.
I wish I could write a rhyme that flows as nice as a fountain.

That will be so nice readers would read
and loose track of time
a rhyme with all its repetition like:
“I have written a lyric
I leave it to the critics
to critique
and make the lyric
one to mimic.”

I wish I could use a simile better than
“blood dripped heavily down his head
as a rose petal that withered”
I wish I could use a personification better than
“rough wind, that moans loud,
grief too sad for song.”

I wish I could use a symbol to represent something other than itself,
like “The Phoenix and its life cycle represents the ups and downs in human life”
Oh how I would love to write an excellent poem.
I want write a poem better than that.

Author Profile - George Amoah

Biography:

George lives in Accra, and is a graduate of the University of Ghana with a BA(Maths/Economics). He is currently working with one of the Government Agencies in Ghana, and is pursuing a Master's degree in International Development Policy. He reads and sometimes does some writing during his free periods.

Five Questions with George Amoah:

1. How long have you been writing poetry?

It's been a hobby since secondary school but I took it seriously, so to speak, at university, even though it was not something public.


2. Who are your favourite poets? Which poets have most inspired and informed your writing?

I wish I could mention a name but the truth is I love good poetry especially from Ghanaians and Africans (Nigerians mostly) and some Western poetry, too.


3. What do you hope to accomplish with your poetry?

To help inspire and also help propagate the art of poetry. Also to in my own way help people realise themselves through my poetry.


4. "Woes of a Poet" references the phoenix, the central image of your last poem featured on One Ghana, One Voice, "The Phoenix," which produced a good deal of discussion. Was "Woes of a Poet" written in response to that experience?

No, I actually wrote it before my first poem was published, but what I noticed about poets, and myself as a person, is that we always want to be perfect in whatever we do and so worry a lot about what we do. So even though its particular, once again like my first poem its reality is in everyday life.


5. How important are outside editors, critics, etc. to the development of your writing?

You have no idea how much I cherish editors, critics, etc. because without them no one can ever be a better person.

Contact George:

papadexte(at)yahoo.com

The Phoenix - George Amoah

Up it goes.
Soaring to heights unscaled
Spreading its gallant wings
So it cuts through the winds
Like knife through butter
Immaculate!!!
It lands on a trunk
With neck straightened and stretched to the sky
As if to say “WHO IS THE MAN”!
Hmmm...
Now it has gone frail
Its feathers that glitter
Now looks like they have gone through a shredder
Tattered!
Are its feathers.
Awful the feathers make it look.
And they stare!
Yes they stare and very well at that!
They stare at the bird they once admired or detested.
The admirers could not hide their disappointment at its becoming
Whilst those that detest it smile and laugh in a jubilant and sarcastic manner,
As if to say "Thank God for your becoming!"
Alas!
It looks straight ahead.
As if luck did prompt it to.
What did it see?!
A Pyre!!
It saw a Pyre!
So it gathers all strength there is to gather
With a determined look,
A flight it took.
Towards the Pyre
Stand, it does on the Pyre
Its feathers start to smoke
Then it glows
Red!
Then its darkens,
Dark till it becomes ash
A powdery ash
The admirers mourn and detractors jubilate.
Ah! Wait a minute
What do I see!?
I see the ashes rise
And as if the magic word “Abra ka Dabra” is says,
Skeletons form and flesh covers them.
Feathers, beautiful ones at that, cover the flesh.
It once again looks as beautiful as ever.
The admirers and detractors exchange the emotions they held.
Now,
Once more, with wings spread, it flaps and flies.
Looking back one last time with a gaze that says "thanks for all your thoughts."
Then it disappears into the atmosphere.

"The Phoenix" is part one of our four-part series of poems on soccer.

Author Profile - George Amoah

Biography:

George is a Ghanaian in his 20s. He lives in Accra, and is a graduate of the University of Ghana with a BA(Maths/Economics). He is currently working with one of the Government Agencies in Ghana. He reads and sometimes does some writing during his free periods.

Five Questions with George Amoah:

1. You likened the game of soccer to the rejuvenation of the phoenix, a mythical bird. As a player of soccer, can you elaborate on that feeling?

I don't remember the last time I kicked a ball but I am a strong follower of the Black Stars of Ghana. The Black Stars peaked months before the 2006 World Cup and months after, they found themselves down and losing matches and this came with criticisms and trauma for the players and everybody. Then lo and behold, they came back with a 'bang'.

I tell you the feeling was and is still great!!!


2. The use of words such as ‘powdery ash’ and ‘Abra ka Dabra’ suggests evidence of the supernatural in the game of soccer. Can you tell us how the use of black magic impacts soccer in Ghana?

I dont know if it really works but what I know is it gives one team a psychological edge over the other and it also motivates the players themselves. I think it's the 'you can beat anyone because you have something extra' feeling. Some choose to call it the feel-good factor.


3. In the line, ‘The admirers and detractors exchange the emotions they held.’, you captured the sychronization of opposites in soccer. Do you think the same can be said of life in general?

Yes I do. Sometimes when you seem to be down and out, some people just won't help but laugh at you. They become very shocked and even sad, though, when you finally make your way out of the problem.


4. Being a Ghanaian, do you think the love of soccer is a patriotic duty or is it an acquired taste?

I strong think its both. You acquire the taste and cant help but support your country or play for your country. We all love the game of soccer.


5. As a promising poet, do you think poetry can become a force in Ghana the way soccer is? If so, how?

Yes. In fact it was once a force. It went into hibernation and is on the rise as depicted in my poem.

Contact George:

papadexte(at)yahoo.com