Ghana by air.
from "eyes of a boy, lips of a man" ©1999



Let the dry savannah winds
grab you by the hair
and drag you 
stumbling 
through tough clumps
of cow-nibbled grass.

Did you see the children streak by 
on bikes - two or sometimes three 
		on the same?
Did you see the striking garments
energised by night dances?


Now the green of the forest 
will sweep you across the secret
passages of
Ashanti pride
into the rich red
depths of palm nut soup.

Did you see a woman drag her husband 
home by the cuff - insulting him 
		all the way?
Did you hear the market traders
hurling prices down the street?


The lights of Accra
will confound you as you circle
dreamily round
haphazard
houses arranged to fit
sprouting family trees.

Did you hear the blaring
horns - sometimes angry, 
	sometimes friendly?
Did you see two lovers
heading for Labadi beach?

Follow them
lift the hem
	of the sea

plunge...

you have reached
the centre
of the world.