A Basket of Flaming Ashes

When I Fall in Love I talk about Buea

19 A Basket of Flaming Ashes When I Fall in Love I talk about Buea When I fall in love, I talk about Buea One way street into my heart: from mile 17 to Buea Town Luscioustomatoes,colorof mylipsticksmudgedonhisshirt Remnants of kisses falling on fertile volcanic soil Liengu’s husband, Epasa Moto*, part man, part stone, Sole witness to nature’s surrender. Buea rain plays see-saw; And nipples answer the chorus on rooftops Foggy streets clothe my innocence Ripe bananas assuage my hunger The taste of nyenge-nyenge** like his fragrance lingers, waiting, Sweat from Sarola’s*** chase trickles between my thighs While fruits hang on trees in sight The feel of plantation rubber balls bounces off puerile flesh. I get lost in corridors of memory July is no month to remember. * The god of mount Cameroon, husband to Liengu la Mwanja, mermaid of the Sea ** Strawberries, quite common in Buea in the 70’s *** Frenchman, 3rd Principal of Lycée Bilingue, Buea, whose compound had different fruit trees that attracted school children. ...