Andy Aryeetey

For my late Grandma, affectionately known as Maame.

We sang over and over again
To mark yet another milestone in granny’s life
She never sang her turn
Perhaps because old age has touched her vocal cords...

Today was different
Grumpy granny was supposed to smile
Yet her eyes they showed only indifference
She made me wonder in profound thought.

When it is evening, would I still sing happy birthday?
What would be so happy about a birthday?
If every year added would mean that
I’d be getting close to my death,
Should I embrace death as I would a loved one?
When it is evening, would I still sing happy birthday?

When it is winter and my eyes fail to see
And I am toothless, and my bones do weaken...
And I am clearly shaken
I too will be grumpy...

When it is evening, would I still sing happy birthday?
But now it is midday, bright and vibrant like the spring
I will sing the happy birthdays
I will chew the bones of the cows
I will play the game of the heroes...
I will ride the waves of the seas...

If granny could be thankful
It would be that she saw us in her lifetime
If I would be thankful it would be that she
Showed me wisdom in her lifetime...

Granny can’t, so in my springtime
I will do it for her; will celebrate the birthdays
As for me I will sing and sing,
I will rejoice and rejoice...
Because when it is evening
There will be no more happy birthdays.

Andy Aryeetey
University of Ghana, Legon.