The Menace - Reginald Asangba Taluah

She lurks like the darkness
And wrecks like a hurricane
She creeps like a night mare
And breeds like a cancer

She is the robber of today
Who steals the souls of men
A trepidation in the hearts of men
That strikes down helpless victims

Man breeds her
She wraps man
Pins him in grief
And leaves him hopeless

She engulfs where mischief is most
Chooses where morality is no more
With no regards for race or age
Mendicant and affluent she takes alike

The black cohort; the worst afflicted
Ruined to depression and delusion
To recklessness; they perish
Uneducated and unresourced

Author Profile - Reginald Asangba Taluah

Biography:

Reginald Asangba Taluah is the first child of three. Born on the 14th of April, 1984 in Tamale, he hails from Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana. He had his secondary education at Notre Dame Minor Seminary in Navrongo, and received his B.A degree in English and Sociology in 2007. He is currently pursuing an M.Phil in Literature in English at the Department of English-Legon.

Five Questions with Reginald Asangba Taluah:

1. This poem evokes great curiosity in the readers. When you were writing it, how did you want readers to feel while reading it?

My objective is to hold the reader’s attention, not just to the art but the message as well. I seemed to have loved the introductory stanzas I had earlier on recited that I consequently developed to its present state. Who is she? One may ask. And though I possibly will have my own idea or perhaps opinion about what is being referred to, the answer relies solely on the reader as he or she finds the landing site.


2. Was this poem inspired by any particular incident in your life? Influenced by particular other poems you have read?

The inspiration is not only by an incident in my life but incidents in our lives. With the influences of other poems, I must say they are many. I see and hear many things around me and believe therein lies my concern and also my duty. I know for sure that I do not write the poem, the poem writes me. And that is the answer I often give when asked how I did it. I just can’t tell, and to be frank with you, I sometimes pose the same question to myself.


3. We seem to be profiling you about once a year, and each time checking in on the state of poetry on the campus at Legon. What is your update for 2009?

If at all there is anything new, not to the best of my knowledge. "Open Air Theatre" on Radio Univers- Legon is still faring well. And I also want to believe Laban Hill’s poetry project will give birth to something great [ed. note: see the February 26th, 2009 posting on our News and Notices page for information on Laban Hill's new project]. The coming together of many budding poets is certain to yield fine results and perhaps I must say due to the demanding nature of my courses somethings may pass me by.


4. In your last interview you noted that "The assertions and praises rained on Ghanaians as being "peaceful" is also the driving force for Ghanaians not to tarnish the already good image they have attained." This certainly seems to have been proven true throughout the recent election process. What are your feelings on the election, and the prospects for Ghanaian peace and democracy in the future?

At a point, some and probably most Ghanaians trampled on their patience. There was mounting tension in the country, but as the democratic threshold has been crossed without qualms, we give the glory to the Lord. I will always maintain that Ghanaians have gone a long way and will not mar their efforts. The knowledge that many eyes are watching from afar serves as an illuminating reminder. Ghana is equally securely girded with a tough belt of peace. Ghanaians also demonstrated a high sense of political maturity where constituency members sent self centered Members of Parliament packing. Those who neglected their roles as voices of their people and negotiators of developmental projects and rather concentrated in amassing wealth for their families and generations to come were kicked out.


5. Are you engaged in any writing projects (new poems, etc.) that you think our readers might be interested in?

I guess I am done with a play manuscript and waiting to take the next steps. I seem to be unsettled at this point in time and though I keep writing new poems and editing, my academic work does not give me the liberty I need for a true organization. I am up to many things and you will not be left out at the appropriate time.

Contact Reginald:

cantankerousdj(at)yahoo.co.uk

A Voice From Within - Reginald Asangba Taluah

There was a great trembling
The earth shook
The mountains quivered
And the passing wind waned

In a small hut made of mud
And roofed with thatch
There I lay
On the graveled sand
Born to a peasant family

I came with pain
But I am here to gain
While you were fed with Lactogen and Cerelac
I fed on the wisdom of my mother's breast milk
And I am hear to speak wisdom
Nothing but wit

I cried and cried loud
The deaf heard me
The blind saw my plight
The crippled walked close
And the dumb were moved
But to no avail

You pitiless nations
Mercy they say is easy to give
For it keeps coming
But you refuse to give
And in my longing
I long

A nation lost in tolerance
Blindfolded to virtue
Chaos upon the least provocation
With no brother's keeper

I hear guns fire from far and near
I hear the earthquaking of people as they run
But I do no see the adversary they fight
And baffle at the sight

Brother killing brother
That is my fright
They massacre and ransack
But I remain keen

After the ravaging, who suffers?
After the ravaging, who hungers?
Then do I see the ugly face of war
Having to build what was destroyed anew

Leaders turn against each other
Striving for leadership
Wanting to be served and not to serve
But when I want to oppose the wrong
They keep my mouth shut
Awaiting my reprisal
But I fear no reprisal

For how it pains
How it pains, brother
To live in this world of chains
With no gains
While the wicked and greedy
Care not for the needy
In pain we try
But in vain we cry
Brother, it's painful
Friend, it's ungrateful.

Author Profile - Reginald Asangba Taluah

Biography:

Reginald Asangba Taluah is the first child of three. Born on the 14th of April, 1984 in Tamale, he hails from Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana. He had his secondary education at Notre Dame Minor Seminary in Navrongo, and received his B.A degree in English and Sociology in 2007. He is currently a Teaching Assistant at the Department of English-University of Ghana.

Reginald took up writing in his secondary days; writing poems, articles, and short stories for the “Notre Dame News Letter”. With a perennial interest in poetry he is one of the strong voices in performance poetry. Reginald believes in truth and that it is through the arts that truth is well told. Kofi Awoonor is his influential father figure; with Kofi Anyidoho and Atukwei Okai among others being a great influence in his writing career.

Five Questions with Reginald Asangba Taluah:

1. You use rhyming in interesting ways, sometimes hardly at all, while sometimes, as at the end of this poem, almost constantly (including internal rhyme). What motivates you to choose when to rhyme and when not to rhyme? What effects are you hoping to produce?

Kwame Nkrumah of blessed memory is quoted to have said “Practice without thought is blind: Thought without practice is empty.” Trying to capture what it feels like experiencing a self-destruction, I dared to experiment with a personal poem in perhaps a dramatic monologue that develops from narrative to lyricism to embody qualities like moving language, rhythm, tension and imagery.

Seeking to create a doorway through which others can come through a thought provoking experience, rhyme sort of sets poetry apart from ordinary conversation and brings it closer to music to make it sound special and memorable to stimulate and captivate the audience.

With regards to its effects, a good poem that is sparked by sound imagery would only be better if sounds of words in tango with meaning serve to please the mind and ear in euphony. It gives it a musical quality and thus makes it easy to memorize.


2. What impact do you think the arrival of products like Lactogen and Cerelac had on the Ghanaian population?

In a way, Lactogen and Cerelac set some Ghanaians on a higher pedestal in terms of status. Since Lactogen and Cerelac are artificial foods, I do not in any way see them as a good catalyst to the development of an individual as compared to the natural breast milk that more thoughtful individuals are fed on. I can’t give any scientific explanation for this; but I know and do have glaring examples.


3. Do you think that Ghanaians, who have seem comparatively little national strife when compared to their African neighbours, have a unique perspective on African conflict? If so, how?

Perhaps I should say yes. Being witnesses to the atrocities caused by conflict in other neighbouring countries in a way serves as a deterrent to Ghanaians. The assertions and praises rained on Ghanaians as being “peaceful” is also the driving force for Ghanaians not to tarnish the already good image they have attained.


4. We spoke over a year ago about the state of poetry at Legon. At that point you were optimistic. What is your opinion now? Has anything changed? If so, for better or for worse?

My optimism on the state of poetry is not what I had expected. Though things have changed for the better, they are moving at a snail's pace. I might be expecting a rapid change but I don't believe that cheering and hope alone attain the intended changes.


5. How about poetry in Accra in general? Have you seen any positive developments? If not, what do you think a first step forward might be?

Finding grounds where works of poetry are admired is almost always a challenge for the poet. Newspapers and magazines have appeared profusely in the city of Accra, but they turn to being more sensational than subtle. There are developments alright but not at the expected pace. The more symposiums, conferences and competitions organised, the better the development.

Contact Reginald:

cantankerousdj(at)yahoo.co.uk

A Look at the Endless Sea - Reginald Asangba Taluah

A look at the endless sea
And what do I see
I see eternity
I see creation
I see from the far end
The meeting of the clouds
And the blue reflection of the waters
I see the vigor with which
The waters splash the shore
But can not tell the force behind
I see birds in swift flight
Attempting to catch their prey
At the far away waters
I see those boats
As minute as milk tins afloat
I hear the rumbling and tumbling
Of the turbulent waves
As they echo in euphony
Crum, prum, crum, prum
Like a whisper in my ear
As the lightening above
And the sudden tranquility
And who said water and light differ
I stand in amazement and wonderment
A look at the endless sea
And what do I see
I see God

Author Profile - Reginald Asangba Taluah

Biography:

Reginald Asangba Taluah is the first child of three. He was born on the 14th of April, 1984 to Mr. Charles Taluah and Mrs. Victoria Navro Taluah. He hails from Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana and is a kassena Nankane by tribe. He is currently a final year student in the University of Ghana offering English and Sociology as a combined major.

Quite apart from his tertiary education in the capital of Ghana, all his previous education has been in the north, with both senior and secondary school education at Notre Dame Minor Seminary Secondary in Navrongo. He currently lives with his parents in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Five Questions with Reginald Asangba Taluah:

1. "A Look at the Endless Sea" seems to be quite different from your last profiled poem, "The Western Winds," in that this seems more personal and spiritual, while "The Western Winds" was more political. Is your writing generally so diverse, or do you usual favour writing one type of poetry more ( i.e. the political over the spiritual)?

My writing generally is diverse and that is because I do not choose to write but instead the force behind what is written drives me. I personally overall prefer my political poems because of the force behind them when I recite them. I give my senses their due and through them emanates poetry which transcends time.


2. In your last profile, you spoke of the ways in which Prof. Kofi Awoonor has supported you and your writing. Has there been anyone else in your life who has similarly inspired and encouraged you to write?

I will find it difficult to place someone second to Prof. Awoonor. However Prof Anyidoho, David Diop, Wole Soyinka, the Miltons and the Mutabarukas, to mention but a few, have all served a great deal in my life as a poet.


3. You mentioned previously that your first connection with poetry came through writing for your secondary school newsletter. Along those lines, do you have any thoughts on ways of reaching out to Ghanaians who have not previously been involved with poetry, and getting them interested?

It is a painful truth I must in my loneliness say: most Ghanaians do not love to read. Most detest coded language not because they do not think but because they do not want to take the pain to read between lines. Our publishers will say it all. Even if the attempt is made, they prefer to read prose. Hence any attempts at poetry have always yielded little, if any, fruit.

I have a dream that someday, if not on my own but with the help of other concerned citizens, I will organise some sort of literary revolution in the form of poetry in all levels of education. That will also be on one condition, that the sponsors and media houses will find its relevance and not concentrate solely on the "Miss Something Something" in unnecessary forms and numbers within a year. And with this vision of a true mission, I someday, in glee, will say: Today is the tomorrow I said yesterday.


4. Was the scene described in "A Look at the Endless Sea" based upon a real experience of yours? If so, where did it happen and why did it inspire you so at that moment?

The scene described in "A Look at the Endless Sea" is based on a real experience. It is said wittily, if not wisely, that the eyes are the windows of the soul; I give liberty unto my eyes and they make me glad. More often than not, I visit my Aunt from school at the Korle Bu nurses Flats and in curiousity, I will take a walk down the Korle Beach were I am almost alone to cogitate. When I wrote it, I was not there to swim or have fun as others will go to beaches for, but instead I went for a thinking spree. The atheist's deliberate inability not to see God is mistaken to mean He does not exist. However, being inspired by the splendour of the sea I could not resist but see the grandeur of the master architect behind that eternal creation. And sometimes, when I can't contain the splendour, I weep.


5. As a native of the Upper East Region, when was the first time you travelled to the coast and saw the sea? What effect did this have on you?

My first arrival at the coast was in 1998, of which day and month I can't in certainty say. In those days, I went to the beaches to either swim or make merry. At a point in time, I saw the sea as in picturesque description, as a mouth, of which the waves served as the tongue which welcomed all but was also capable of retaining others as they drowned.

I saw the sea at first as all saw it and still see it to be, but as my poetic sensibilities got hold of me, I began to look at things in a different light. Where I laugh, others might not find a reason, but within me I know why.

Contact Reginald:

cantankerousdj(at)yahoo.co.uk

Reginald's Past Profiles:

Issue 1.5, April 21st-27th, 2007

The Western Winds - Reginald Asangba Taluah

On this same soil we sprung
On this same land we grew
Clutching our heritage with impunity
Though we strive in illusions
Our mythical heritage is intrinsic
The western winds came in fury
In envy of rich values and customs
Carrying with them the weak and imbecile
Yet, the gurus clung to their roots
Remaining indignant to change
And became paragons of virtues
They came to destroy our heritage
Blowing dust into eyes of ignorance
Carrying away branches of heritage
Yet, it was deep rooted
It stood, wavered but still
This tree still blossoms
To bear fruits of rich heritage

Author Profile - Reginald Asangba Taluah

Biography:

Reginald Asangba Taluah is the first child of three. He was born on the 14th of April, 1984 to Mr. Charles Taluah and Mrs. Victoria Navro Taluah. He hails from Navrongo in the Upper East Region of Ghana and is a kassena Nankane by tribe. He is currently a final year student in the University of Ghana offering English and Sociology as a combined major.

Quite apart from his tertiary education in the capital of Ghana, all his previous education has been in the north, with both senior and secondary school education at Notre Dame Minor Seminary Secondary in Navrongo. He currently lives with his parents in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Five Questions with Reginald Asangba Taluah:

1.How long have you been writing poetry?

I started writing poetry way back in secondary school. From 1999 when I made contributions in poetry and article writing to the "Notre Dame News Letter" and I have since been glued to my pen in expressing myself in poetry.

2. Who are your favorite poets? Which poets have most inspired you and informed your work?

As a budding poet, I owe my sincerest gratitude to the supreme being for his inspiration. I would not be complete without acknowledging Prof. Kofi Awoonor, my friend and lecturer, for his inspiration in the Creative writing class. He enkindled my desire to write and gave me hope when I thought there was none. "You can do it" he said; and today, I am doing it. Others include, Prof. Kofi Anyidohoh, Mutabaruka, Wole Soyinka, Atukwei Okai and John Milton.

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

What I hope to accomplish with my poetry is to teach and entertain any good and critical reader who sees my work. This is mainly by representing the reality in an educative but entertaining manner that will catch the attention of readers to what has really been represented.

4. What is your opinion about the state of poetry in Ghana today? The state of poetry on the campus at the University of Ghana, Legon?

I must confess in my candid opinion that the state of poetry in Ghana is nothing to write home about. Most Ghanaians have lost their priorities such that reading has become a far secondary issue in their lives. Most Ghanaians seldom read novels and the like, and for poetry, forget it. However, though the situation is also quite glaring in the University of Ghana, Legon, it is better as compared to the nation as a whole. Quite recently, competitions on poetry and poetry recitals are being organised by mostly young writers and poets to raise the awareness of poetry.

5. What do you think is the role of poetry in the daily lives and politics of Ghanaians?

In my motherland: Africa, power gets into reasonable people and they begin to do unreasonable things. I personally believe the role of poetry is to reveal the concealed, unite the ununited, remind and inform Ghanaians, and Africans for that matter, of their rich cultural heritage and to bring to light human follies and the need for a positive change in societies.

Contact Reginald:

cantankerousdj(at)yahoo.co.uk