Dembe’s Dust
Even as young Dembe
sweeps
a new days dust into
another,
even fresher pile ..
He turns
and takes a sly look
back across
a shoulder, spits and
twists
his face into a smile ..
Time for tea,
he asks through teeth
so white
one dare not stare at
them too long
for fear of going blind ..
Then leans
like some old man with
fingers crossed
atop his faithful broom
and waits
for an answer that he
wanted but ..
He knew would never
come since
Adame the house-girl
was always far too
busy darning
holes in prayer mats
and making
rice for the new Twobab ..