Poetry, retros, reflective prose etc.

2023 RETRO

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I took a moment to reflect
I saw with my mind’s eye a panoramic view of the past 12 months
I saw the moments when I ate in some of the nicest restaurants as well as when it was a miracle to eat Gari soakings
I saw the moments when my feet gathered dust on the streets of Kuntunse, Kpobikorpe and Odumase as well as the days I sat in comfort in the Boeing Passenger
I saw the moments when it seemed as though everything was crumbling before my eyes as well as the days when all the pieces appeared to be coming together
I saw the days of agony and misery and despair as well as the days of faith and courage and determination
I saw the days I felt as unstoppable as the wind as well as the days when I felt as helpless as a baby
I saw the periods spent with sophisticated intellectuals as well as with the unlettered and ordinary
I saw the the occasions of mirth as well as when I understood what the Wise Man meant when he spoke of the crossness of the face making the heart better
And through it all I learnt vital lessons
Never give up and never become overconfident
And always trust in divine power

Bailey’s Funeral

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In 3 months an attachment developed
In 3 rotations of the moon on its axis a bond was formed and then broken
Man’s best friend they are called
Essandoh Villa’s favourite pet Bailey was
More pugnacious and contumacious of the duo
The duo that howled and growled and snarled and barked and sounded alarm
More jocund of the pair
The pair that followed us everywhere we went
But who remembers the shrinking violets and the dull and the quiet and the too polite?
Does not the noisier and more passionate make a more indelible impression?
Do not the valiant seem to cast on us a spell that lasts forever?
It is not admissible for animalia to live forever
And the canine does not keep a tight grip on life
Bailey is gone
But he left behind lessons on what it takes to be memorable

AWS Community Builders

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For days we waited in anxious suspense
With unwavering hope and undeterred hearts
And the days turned into weeks and forthnights
But the hope did not lead to disappointment
Defying shipment challenges
And traversing oceans
Criss-crossing dusty roads
Wading through thickets
To the far flung corners of the earth the AWS Community Builders Swag go
Our hearts swell with joy at its arrival

Serving reminders of what a lovely community we are privileged to belong to
Where we learn all about AWS and its services from the horse’s mouth
Where we expand our network in a truly inclusive and diverse community
Where our writing and presenting and speaking skills are honed
But knowledge brings accountability we reckon
So we vow to create opportunities to share
All the amazing things we learn with all who will lend an ear
We leap for joy to receive our AWS Community Builders Swag

It’s Always Day 1 (SECOND MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY POEM)

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On the 8th day of the 9th month we come To remember our blessings with affection
And to reflect on our lessons
We wish we could say we were now experienced
We wish we could say we had learnt so much
But, really, all we can say is that it is always Day 1

Each brand new day is full of its unique opportunities and challenges
Each day is a new opportunity to express love
Each new day is an opportunity to test and refine our Christian personality
Yes, it’s always Day 1

On the eight day of the night month we kneel and beg
That the Sustainer of our lives not forsake us for the sake of his name
Each day is a day to share with Him our aches and plagues
Each day is a day to share with Him our joys and tears
Each day is a day to beg for His wisdom to guide our steps
Each day is a day to implore that He restrain us from bringing reproach on His holy name

On the eight day of the night month we raise our eyes upwards to our Maker
Our Guard and Guide
For we learnt that
Not in our own might can we be conquerors
Not in our own strength can we be victorious
We learnt to peer into His Word
And ever remain little children before His eyes
We learnt to look for evidence of His Spirit’s direction and discern angelic guidance
Yes, we approach each day with confident humility
For, it is always Day 1

FIRST (MARRIAGE) ANNIVERSARY POEM

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On the eighth day of the ninth month
We vowed before Jehovah
To love each other from the heart
Knowing that giving is the barometer of love
Knowing that we will need to give of our time, energy, and other resources
Before hundreds we said confidently “Yes I do “
And we did
And we do
And we will do

On the eighth day of the ninth month
We set sail on the sea of matrimony
Knowing the waters could become turbulent
Knowing the ship could wreck
Knowing that more than a few had perished at sea
But we knew who our Captain was
Even the winds and the sea obey him
So we trusted him – Jehovah the God of the heavens
The One who made the sea and the dry land

On the eighth day of the ninth month
We sang and danced
We knew that challenges would come
And come they did
We knew the unexpected could happen
And happen they did
We were hard-pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement
We were perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out
We were knocked down, but not destroyed
For the Almighty really held on to us with his right hand of righteousness

In the Wake of August 23

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There are days when nothing happens
And there are days which lock themselves in memory because of their shocking effect
August 23 is one such day!
A day that serves sad reminders
That not all our goals will be achieved
That some of our fondest hopes will be dashed to pieces
That some of our deepseated expectations will suffer shipwreck
That it is not true that simply by being positive and determined we can surmount all odds
It is a reminder of our helplessness and powerlessness to help those we love
Sometimes life is suffering
Sometimes life is war
But a positive mental outlook is still the best way to live
And we must continue the fight
Keep ever marching forward
Make the most of each day
Trust in Divine power
Yes, trust in He who can right all wrongs

A Doggerel

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Dim lights at rock bottom
Grasping at straws
History to repeat itself or Napoleon’s Waterloo?
Chaotic din or triumphal shout?
Supernatural to intervene
Calm. low, voice of faith

The falling of the the dry leaves

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I heard the old man sigh and groan
Seeing me no doubt brought back memories of his prime
He has known me since I was a mere suckling
All that is long past now
The sad reality for him now are aches and pain and sickness

My eyes were tearful
For I had been served a reminder
That the days will come when some of the things I strive for now will mean nothing
That even the loyal one may be in anguish
That I should make hay while the sun shines
The falling of the dry leaves of a tree is a serious warning to the green ones

Cadette

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For a moment my heart missed a beat

For a moment all my anxieties paled into insignificance

Then came a rush of memories

Of conversations and walks and meals

Of smiles and giggles and loud laughter

Can I really believe that her life’s account has been closed?

Will her vibrant soprano notes really not be heard any longer?

O how merciless sickness is and how devastating the calloused hands of death are!


She is gone but not forgotten 

I will always remember her when I eat or even see a bowl of Akple

The streets of Kwashieman and Madina market will always bring back recollections of her

I will keep the last 20 pounds she gave me as memorabilia

Really, is not our short life only about occupying space in the heart of God and man?

The Creator and Recreator of life will surely remember her too

By his undeserved kindness may this be a comma and not a period

The Greatest Love Story

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Today is momentous-
A day that holds a special place in our hearts.

It is a day for sober reflection

On the greatest benefaction in the annals of human history.

A time to ponder in solitude and silence

The greatest love story ever told.

The story of the love our Creator showed

When He allowed His precious Son to die ignominiously for us.

The Son suffered excruciatingly and died shamefully.

Out of love, he took the blow meant for us.

Our most enormous debt was written off.

From the throes of sin and the shackles of death, we were rescued.

At his expiration, the midday sky blackened, and the earth shook violently—

To mark the occurrence of the most important event ever to take place on earth.

We use this Memorial occasion

To reflect on what was lost so that we may gain,

To consider how we will live each day as our Redeemer would have us live it,

To assure our hearts that if He did not withhold the gift of His dear Son,
 He will not fail to provide our needs,
 And to renew our zeal in telling all who will hear

The greatest love story ever.