For a Young Friend that Left Without a Bye

The ugly face of death
and its unwanted kiss on your precious lips we all cherish
That death’s kiss bars us now
Forming the dark curtain we cannot cross with you.
Where we part now is a reminder
of our feet buried in the dark cold sand
that makes the mark at the door
where our past dreams melted with the present
For future adventures
You left.
Abandoning our cherished ways
for a lone unknown path
You left.
Our eyes only flash fond memories
The hunger moments at Grandma’s Inn
Same soup, you will look on meekly
It will be alright you will say
We shared—
You left.
Anelka, we will say
Keeping the forced vigil this night
We know you will blow out the candle lights.
You will have none of our tears.
It was for you—
We should smile only on your memory
and bless it with palmwine
littered with drops of dew
The taste will usher you into your new life
and your ghost will hover around
at our lunch tables
You will receive your drink

Legon, November 2009