But I have beaten the drum for you...

Martin Egblewogbe

here's
wishing for a happy ending

it would end well if it could

but it can't
because
that's the way
it is

so lie to yourself about brightness and fragrance
lie to yourselves about goodness and light:

the night is greater
soon you will know

here's
your life:
flashing by in a series of flashbacks
can you grab them can you preserve
them

here's the now
already gone

here's you
and
you
with you

you may entertain misery
or
entertain yourself with misery

it all goes one way
it could be a sad or a happy way
but it is just the way
it is

here's
your apology
sorry you were not warned
beforehand

but you could not be warned
beforehand

in any case
what good would it have done

but
here's your apology

i guess you feel better now
now that i have beaten the drum
for you.

Martin Egblewogbe
Legon. May, 2008

Award!

Let it be declared to all the nations of award-lovers.

That i, acting in my capacity as the one and only odeneho, on behalf of nobody (and not on my own behalf); having recognized how so loudly you beat the drum for us all (who form the plural you), making it so sufficient we need not beat our own drums; i bestow on you (and only the singular you) the following words of everlasting breath:

I confer on you:
The Shadow Sun of The Grand Star of The High Order and Two Scary Unknown Eagles of the Nation.

I don't know what that means myself, but let it make (the singular) you also feel better!

Never mind! This poem just reminds me of something extreeeeeemly hilarious!

i like this poem Martin even

i like this poem Martin even though it boarders - not surprisingly - on the ironic side. i guess i wouldn't wish you to beat the drum for me.