Letters to Marion (And the Coming Generations)

The Bigman’s Son

42 Letters to Marion (And the Coming Generations) joining in the ecstasy of the splash of golden bubbles rumbling down from highest heights I’ll sit on the mightiest rock and watch the kite stoop to the sunbird and the sparrow lord the parrot and we shall sing and dance and jaunt as the sweet foams of the golden falls rise to caress the endless sky. My Clansman’s Benevolence When the raiders came and went I saw freedom knocking at our door Knocking on the door of Africa I woke up from a drowsy snooze To hug my clansman in delight In our gardens where love was sown But he raised his shoulders like a cock At wrestling and galled my bitter soul With hatred, pride, and repression. The Bigman’s Son I was hurrying through a stiff cold street by villas planted on scarce-trodden greens hemmed in firm iron bars and I saw an handsome lad lean wearily on the adamant gate while monstrous hounds growled hard at me. Out of a window a damsel plunged her head and saw her little lad glaring stern at me a voice that almost wept railed from her heart: ‘‘Ngwep ngwi, what are you doing there? Come back home my all!’’ 43 John Nkemngong Nkengasong and the rake-like housemaid came panting after him and the youngster turned and sighed and said: ‘‘Mother, let me out to feel the world like that man walking as he likes’’ As I traced my path away I heard the youngman’s plea echoing in my restless brain what a sigh I heaved for him knowing that the healthiest rose grows in the wild where ngwep ngwi wants to feel the world. On the Departure of Haifa The sap of the ngongo leaves Stretched out green in the evanescence of the year And crabs that yawned at noontime Found reason for their joy In the clay beddable pond Where only fresh nkeng saps Stood waving bye to one Who eclipsed my soul with a smile At San Francisco Bay. Njisoo Set me down Set me down The burden is heavy to lift from my head Where is Njisoo With the magic wand of the other world ...