 |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Dalton1
3485 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 18:10:58
|
ed.version
I haven't seen Gambians write a lot of poems in forums. Poetry speaks more than the lengthy passages we construct to make our arguments. It's a calculated observation, predictions, combination of facts, and more so exposing societal dangers or expressing feelings, as in love, sorrow etc… It's a style of writing, a great old way of activism, and probably a wisdom way of hiding behind the pen. In other for one to understand the contents of any poetry, one must follow trends of happenings. Come 200 years later, when some other person opens this poem, might be hard for an interpretation, unless the individual follows some history of the circumstances now.
From the poem below, MK is giving a narration of the present day Gambia under the leadership of a tyrant, whose way is to utilize the 'green boys' in eliminating the catalysts in our society. It is sad to see the children and wives say a final good bye to their parents when they are getting snatched away by the green boys. Now, the usage of vultures in the poem interprets the crocodile pool in kanillai, where human remains are assumed being fed to the pool animals, the same reason for the mention of Edi Amin Dada, another renowned Ugandan dictator, whose style of terror apparatus very well a carbon copy of what is under the Gambian microscope.
It also sadly showed the relation between people, and how families and friends are parting with their love ones. One can be drinking attaya with a healthy brother or sister, not knowing the cold hands of death are waiting for him, through the green boys special way of elimination. Others might have a chance to say good bye, and others not.
” I see dreadful shadow under the corner tree." is a very straightforward opening of the poem, and it reminds me of when Alhaji Nyabally, ex-Gamsu president, currently kept in incommunicado, complained openly that some number plate less cars were pursuing him, starring at him, during day and night.
This is a living tale of a realistic episode, one probably that is known to every one. History needs to be loaded with facts like these, in view of keeping the real pictures stored for future usage. The call to the young men to rise up is a motivation, and call to either resist being used for hurting the society, or stand up and fight to withstand oppression. The poem is also blind, in the sense that it doesn't show unfairness to neither the tyrannical administration nor the green boys, who operate without a second thought. In my view, the poem is well written, and one can develop a whole book out of this poem.
Jammeh and The Greenboys of Kanilai
BY MATHEW K JALLOW, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I see dreadful shadows under the corner tree
Dark silhuette that pretend blood lust
Fangs of steel; and piercing blood shot eyes
As beads of sweat steak down pale faces
I hear death's knock steal through the night
The Green boys of Kanilai on the prowl
I saw her walk and talk to no one in particular
Traumatized by the corpse sprawling on her floor
Her husband is no more; but she kissed her goodbye
And held his cold hands for the last time
Deep love built by two now forever shattered
The Green boys of Kanilai left their mark on him
I remember the gracious gait of those black faces
The chatter in the market hushed by a parade
Sudden death came and went; now only tears of sorrow
Why do we deserve this misery Oh God
Now freedom lost; and not a voice to hear
The Green boys of Kanilai looking for blood again
I see a little child who cannot make sense of it
A father gone; never to return again
To hold, feed you and see you grow into a man
The green boys came by and snuffed the life out of him
He yearned for freedom, but lies six feet deep
The Green boys of Kanilai own the night now
The ghosts of Uganda float over our heads
I see the hand of Idi Amin spreading across the land
From Bakau to Koina; a paralyzing fear permeates the air
Whispering voices too fearful to speak
The rushling of leaves and the call to flee
Kanilai's Green boys on the walk of death
No where to run, and nowhere to hide
I see them fly in circles above the baobab trees
The vultures of prey and the smell of blood
Last night we ate mbahal together, and drank attaya
Today he is no more; and the vultures circle and wait
At night they came and took him away; those men in black
The Green boys of Kanilai and terror that knows no end
We do not want sympathy; we want only justice
And I swear I do not fear the King of Kanilai
But, I fear Rwanda; yes I fear Rwanda until the end of time
How much longer will this misery last
Are we destined to only suffer in silence
Will the Green boys of Kanilai still own the night tomorrow
Enough is enough; we want our beloved country back
No more deaths, and no more torture
Sitting sipping, now the Attaya tastes blood
There isn't joy; just dry smiles that say nothing
The kiss of death marks everyone's spirit
The Green boys of Kanilai are painting the land blood red
Young brave men it is time to stand up and fight
Save our country from this path to destruction
Too many deaths; too much sorrow
Terror and anarchy; and our land is burning
Young men of Gambia; your brothers dying everyday
The Kanilai King and The Green boys on the rampage.
|
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
|
Edited by - Dalton1 on 30 Apr 2006 11:25:35 |
|
|
kaanibaa
United Kingdom
1169 Posts |
Posted - 29 Apr 2006 : 19:04:45
|
| wellsaid bruv and the poem is apt just what is happening to our motherland beats any decent beings imagination yet we will survive thats for sure we do not desrve this faitha dn we will be redeemed . We must believe in final redemption otherwise we are doomed. With that hope alife we can survive thetrials and tribulations that beset our dear nation and our humble selves. Gambian are known for being patient kind and also very courageous, anyone taking the facade of our coolness is going to get a rude awakening when we finally standup and fight against any lout who tries to bully us. keep the spirit alife and ignor the fools who just sit behind their seals of comfort I mean their perceived satisfation of being in favour so try to belittle our common sense and sense of natural justice. We demand justice and we shall have it. those who say by these writings we discourage investors potential as well as actual, I say those who would invest in our land without due consideration for our national plight have no call for our sympathy we cannot acknowledge them as they in their greed for gain have already abandoned us to our faith. bye for now coz am buvvered. just wana shake the hands of bro pa nderi mbai mbasu jajef y |
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Bantaba in Cyberspace |
© 2005-2024 Nijii |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
