A Basket of Flaming Ashes

Pictures after a high school re-union

55 A Basket of Flaming Ashes Pictures after a high school re-union No sisters, pictures can’t tell the story I roll them over in my hand, lifeless Images of varied hues frozen in time The stories of each pose remain untold I grab this one with Anne, my childhood friend All that is left: our laughter of one moment The morning cake to my room is unseen The wine from Cle, her husband, gone too I grab the next and see my ‘‘Ngondus’’ Her 12 floor room was our hub That midnight chat over chardonnay All lost on this paper before me Look at this one with Flora, my love Her face, my inspiration Her walk, my adoration Her feel, fleeting on this picture card This one with my other girl, Ethel Microphone in hand and fuchsia clad Where’s that voice that cooled the room? I search in vain at the photo stand See this one with Flo and Mojoko Twin girls of my Buea past In them I saw my sis, Emilia my tears flowed inwards Ah! Stories, laughter and voices trapped I look, look, look and look And my gaze comes alive... ...