Tanka - Tanka

Neville

Tanka - Tanka

 

The confused

Frail and elderly gent was

Dragged from his rattan bed

In the early hours

Then thrown into the back

Of a heaving, hungry and

Impatient black ambulance

Parked outside the compound

 

This was the result of

Having pissed in his

Daughter’s wardrobe on three

Consecutive nights and refusing

To eat the fish benachin or

Piece of fruit she had previously

Prepared for him with so much love

Or so she said

 

Several other souls were taken

That night too to Tanka-Tanka

Where each was injected with

Strong white man medicine

Which served to wipe out the

Syphilitic spirochete and the tiny

HIV virus in one single blow

 

Until that moment, both pathogens

Had fought to control the already

Compromised nervous systems

Of their unsuspecting hosts

Three quarters of an hour later

The confused, frail and elderly gent

Was already well and truly dead

 

His daughter and her scheming

Husband together with their

Five children would later inherit

And share between them

The sum total of the old fella’s

Grand estate

Which comprised of the following

 

The old gent’s rattan bed and

Rotting mattress, a wooden stool,

A leather bucket, a pink plastic bowl

And a total of twenty five dalasi 

So was it worth it, I asked his daughter

Of course she replied

This is Africa my friend.......

 

 

 

  • Author: Neville (Offline Offline)
  • Published: August 18th, 2019 01:52
  • Comment from author about the poem: true story.. Tanka Tanka is the psychiatric hospital I spent several months volunteering at a couple of years ago...
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 69
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Comments +

Comments8

  • Andrew Charles Forrest

    The things we do in the name of humanity never ceases to scare me

    Tough write Neville thanks for sharing and letting it out I've vented similar feelings as you know about things I would wish to UNSEE

    • Neville

      If we could only unsee .. It would be a black out.... thank you so much for your support and your understanding my friend...

      • Andrew Charles Forrest

        Be proud you witnessed and in someway helped and came back to tell the tale

        • Neville

          I am kinda.. and plan my return trip maybe next year.. I hope to drive over in a truck filled with supplies.. would have done it this year but things are a bit dodgy in Moritainia ... a female friend of mine did it from Holland while I was there.... N

          • Andrew Charles Forrest

            The dutch amaze me they re bfearless as are you young sir

            • Neville

              they are, I am neither fearless or young.. but kinda like the tags being applied ...

            • Fay Slimm.

              We have no idea of conditions in places where customs allow this inhumane treatment by scheming offspring until we experience the indifference by living among such communities- a story to touch the heart of each caring reader my friend.

              • Neville

                yes, it is pretty tough out there my friend... thanks for taking a peek... N

              • ANGELA & BRIAN

                HI NEVILLE - ANGELA HERE - Thanks for sharing & caring ! Its wonderful to have the opportunity to work in the medical field in another Culture. I have been on a Work Exchange in New Zealand for over 12 months and it has taught me alot about the Moari Culture and the Can-do Culture of the KIWIS. Theey dont let injuries phase them and the expect to be back on the *Field* the next day - doing the HAKA ! I liked the Structure of your Poem - nice balanced Free Verse Stanzas - easy to read & recite - excellent. The Subject was all too familiar in African Life - Disease and a *Kill or Cure* Philosophy. The attitude of the Siblings was also familiar *THIS IS AFRICA* Love Poems based on actual experience always mega !

                Blessings & Peace & Joy
                Love ANGELA 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡

                • Neville

                  thanks to the both of you.. N

                • orchidee

                  We don't know what goes on behind some doors.
                  Meanwhile - behind my door is only singing - and that's bad enough! (oohh).

                  • Neville

                    how very true............. cheers..

                  • dusk arising

                    Semi civilised people being judged by western standards?
                    Does making such gross acts illegal change their moral standards?
                    Where lies the answer?

                    Very thought provoking write today.

                    • Neville

                      I dont tend to judge any one as a rule... but the fact some cultural norms sometimes make me wince and inspire me to write about them serves as personal diary, I guess.. maybe.. thanks for checking in DA... N

                    • Christina8

                      What a scary write....scary cause its true! what a great but unfortunate write, dear friend..

                      • Neville

                        thank you dear friend... N

                      • Laura🌻

                        Neville,

                        A touching write...sad, but necessary!
                        Thank you for sharing your ‘personal diary’!

                        ~Laura~

                        • Neville

                          thank you for visiting my friend..

                        • Goldfinch60

                          Such a strong write, such a sad subject, such a wonderful thing you have done to volunteer to help those in abject need.

                          • Neville

                            thank you for reading me GF60... tis appreciated.. N



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