The Betrayed Town and Other Poems

A Lament

13 Taboo First, one Then another I suck the sweets I spied In the dark dark deep recesses of the lady’s hidden painted jar remarking that they were almost stale. Ottawa, 1977 A Lament For having been watched over and listened to by you, For nursing me when I was sick No matter the tantrums, For all these things and much more I will always be thankful My true friend. My eternal home. My very own mountain in Buea Encompassing the hills and valleys -- One huge happy countryside -Lulled , believing an infinity of harmony and peace We pandered to our every wish Then marveled at the emptiness Drowning in our drunken stupor amidst The roaring silence of the countryside. Yes, I was rendered a fool in my innocence 14 By the deep muffled hush of the countryside. Ottawa, 1977 Damned Fallen, Exiled, Degraded -Fallen from the sin of Adam Fallen from the greed of Eve The sin of MAN Creation and destruction Disinterested Benevolence Gulled by the hissing serpent Exiled from sleep The sleep of the lotus-eaters Shocked, Forced to an awakening, Then, damned! If I have lost my innocence, So have you and you and you. For how build only to destroy? The serpent’s tongue beguiling you, Reducing to a bundle of paranoia! Enemies made of former consorts, Self-deceiving bloated self-righteousness, You are either with me or against me! I am always right— I know it all— My views must be your views, One a puppet to the other Ensuring loss of identity— ...