Augustine Yirideme - Harmattan!

From the horizon of the scorching Sahara
With blinding dust, to the arid Savannah,
Across Paga, Poyentanga and Gambaga,
Through Kokoligu, Pwalugu and Bunkpurugu;
Your sound rumbling and rippling.

Your impact at night sweetly tickling;
At noon your force painfully cracking, blinding, wrinkling.
Trees, branches here and there swinging, dangling,
Leaves helplessly withering and falling.
The crow, the mantis and their neighbours, to-and-fro flying, chirping,

Announcing the dawn of the Yuletide,
One that brings joy we cannot hide
Bells everywhere joyfully ringing,
Streets, homes, chapels with sweet melodies rocking
Children in anxiety singing, yelling, jiggling

Chilly mornings playing host to small fires feebly glowing
The old and the young, their near-frozen palms and feet warming,
Yams, nuts and grains roasting, cracking, boiling.

You bring sweetness;
Yes, the new harvest and all in readiness
But you are bitter too; see, our beautiful women's lips,
The noses of vibrant kids, my own feet,
All drying, shrinking, cracking.

Harmattan, sweet, bitter! !


November 2011

Augustine Yirideme

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/harmattan-5/