Village boy Impressions

Stay calm and keep betting  Weekdays, weekends?  What are the odds?  Street soccer in Czechoslovakia, let’s bet  Jungle football in the Congo, let’s bet  Frigid futbol in Siberia, let’s bet!  Kunfu soccer in Shanghai, let’s bet!  Men’s sports, women’s sports  Children’s sports, adults’ sports  Anything sports, let’s bet!  Youth idleness?  No worries! No jobs? Pas de problème. Just bet and bet some more  Behold our doom!  Read:  Village Boy Impressions - Topsy Turvy The storm sweeps through our land Every block in every city Every street in every town Every shed in every village Betting, betting, betting! We are ravaged by day Haunted at night Beguiled in our leisure and Interrupted at our duty. Our flesh is unwilling, but worse Our very souls are infatuated Half-eaten by the cancerous worm Read:  Village Boy Impressions - Walking Backwards Bet this, bet that, bet here, bet there! Have we not obeyed your command? What more do you

Head porters (popularly called 'kayayei' in Ghana) Photo credit:  NewsGhana I walk my beat in many cities and markets Up and down in the perspiring sun From Tamale to Kumasi Kejetia Techiman to Takoradi market circle The mighty Accra is my home base Whether it is Nima, or Mallam Atta, Agbogbloshie or Makola, I am there. Down I come with my head pan in hand. To tread the markets and lorry parks. From six to six each day, rain or shine. I carry my wares; other people’s loads Who strut daintily behind me Watching intently, anxiously Whilst I shout and nudge my way in the crowd, Lest I should be lost with their goods. Yet when I finally arrive, these opportunists, These women, mothers, genteel ladies and lazy men Even they, begrudge me my wage. Read: Village Boy Impressions - Unsung Heroines Tired kayayei find rest under a big truck. Read: Village Boy Impressions - Election Mangana Foxes have holes and birds have nests But I, a daughter and a m