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) - 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
Offline)
Comments8
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
If we could only unsee .. It would be a black out.... thank you so much for your support and your understanding my friend...
Be proud you witnessed and in someway helped and came back to tell the tale
3 more comments
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.
yes, it is pretty tough out there my friend... thanks for taking a peek... N
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 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
thanks to the both of you.. N
We don't know what goes on behind some doors.
Meanwhile - behind my door is only singing - and that's bad enough! (oohh).
how very true............. cheers..
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.
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
What a scary write....scary cause its true! what a great but unfortunate write, dear friend..
thank you dear friend... N
Neville,
A touching write...sad, but necessary!
Thank you for sharing your ‘personal diary’!
~Laura~
thank you for visiting my friend..
Such a strong write, such a sad subject, such a wonderful thing you have done to volunteer to help those in abject need.
thank you for reading me GF60... tis appreciated.. N
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