Back Streets of Banjul

Neville

Back Streets of Banjul

 

Hey Toobab

You want cappuccino girl

Yeah 

You can have her sister too

Good price

 

Hey Toobab

You want boiled rice

Yeah

We got butter fish and barracuda

Good price

 

Hey Toobab

You want bush cab

Yeah

We got colour nut, alcohol and cannabis

All good price   

 

Hey Toobab

You want tourist crap

Yeah

Stacked with filth and maybe a hint of beauty too

Good price

 

Hey Toobab

Check out the back streets of Banjul

Everything you see

Good price

  • Author: Neville (Offline Offline)
  • Published: March 27th, 2019 03:40
  • Comment from author about the poem: Based entirely on fact... during my six month stint of volunteering at the Tanka Tanka psychiatric hospital in West Africa... Everything in West Africa has a price..and it is usually very cheap .. Toobab is the name given to a white man and is a corruption of two bob.. or give me two shillings.. it is not a nice term.. I think the other terms are probably self exploratory .. but feel free to ask... Banjul is the capital of The Gambia...
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 40
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Comments7

  • sylviasearcher

    The universe is sad isn’t it?

    • Neville

      Yes indeed, there is such a lot of suffering, misery and pain..... One day I might try to publish my journal.........IN the meantime, many thanks sylviasearcher..... Neville

    • dusk arising

      Did it all change with decimalisation into tenpea?
      I've never been to Africa nor the places where westerners are surrounded by beggars. The sight of such things on screen have put me off. Your words here are a stern reminder.

      • Neville

        It is impossible to do justice to the heat, haggle and dust... many thanks for popping ya head round the corner and taking a peak... and I certainly respect your honesty DA.. cheers N

      • Fay Slimm.

        Conditions for asking abound in such places - - - the term "good price" shows how needy the populace - bless you for that "stint" of voluntary work among the underprivileged there dear Nev.and thanks for sharing the feel of their plight.

        • Neville

          Thank you my dear friend,, yes my first stint did open my eyes somewhat.. I am still in touch with some of the hospital staff and one of its main supporters Anna who put me up in her old tin hut for the duration of my stay... Neville

        • Michael Edwards

          I help a lot with a charity which supports a school in Ghana which provides opportunties for under privileged children who can't afford the cost of a uniform to go state schools. The living conditions and mortality rates are hard to take on board. Fine work Neville.

          • Neville

            Yes indeed, I am not surprised and good on you... Thanks for considering my corner of Africa... N

          • Suresh

            Humanity has lost all integrity. We need to find that valley, in Ann Rand's novel - Atlas Shrugged

            • Neville

              Maybe I need to find that novel & check it out... thank you ... Neville

            • orchidee

              A good write N.

              • Neville

                Thank you kindly orchidee.... Neville

              • Goldfinch60

                Thank you for showing us these words Neville. My admiration for your volunteering work is profound.
                In this world there is so much abundance but those that have it are much too greedy to share it with others.

                • Neville

                  How very kind of you to say that GF60... I have been volunteering where I believe I might be of some use for quite a few years now... hat and salt are my only addictions, these days.... Neville



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