Author: raphaeltakyi

memories lived here
a man, a wife, and three kids
a man with a broken silver cord
an inconsolable wife
and a triad of confused kids

memories lived here
a son, a mother
a son who shall not smile again
a mother weeping for her son

memories lived here
a son with so much hope
even when darkness was nigh
he would never let go

memories lived here
they’re supposed to bring joy
but these are tears
and I don’t know how to cry

I am a bird
Struck by a sling
I perched on an old branch
Barely could take my weight

The wind, once an ally
Became my nemesis
But my branch was rugged
Like an old cross

Healing came, slowly, painfully
The coverts, with denial
The primaries, with acceptance
And the secondaries, forgiveness

I am healed, I can fly
My branch, now old and frail
Forms the platform for my nest
I am a bird

She takes a seat on the rocks
And watch the waves crawl into every crevice
Her gaze is set on the horizon
As she beholds the vastness of the ocean
That mysterious rumble that emanates
The smell of seaweed, the unimaginable possibilities
I bet she could stay here for a century

The ocean is solemn, she bathes in its breeze
Her thoughts are lost in Bermuda
In search of a missing piece of the Titanic
She reaches for point Nemo
Where dust can’t get into her eyes
The dusk however dawns
And she makes it to the road

I knew there was trouble the moment I walked into the toilet and it felt good. I had become accustomed to the regular smell of Lokki’s urine. Lokki is my cat. We’ve spent a good part of this year cohabitating in peace. Aside the rather rare cunning behaviours, we have coexisted in peace. He’s been a better friend, and roommate, than most people I’ve met in my life.

Prior to this day, I had become unusually ill. The feeling was reminiscent of one illness I had suffered some 8months ago; stress. There was no cough, fever, sore throat, nor anything suspicious. I remember deciding to close from work early to rest. For the first time in like forever, I wasn’t perturbed ignoring the numerous calls. I lay on the bed as I listened to each call bell out. I was calm in the midst of the general fatigue, and never ending headache. I was calm.

The following day wasn’t any better. I got worse, and decided to take the day off. Bless God for hardworking and dedicated staff who are always willing to step in. I could virtually feel every nerve in my body like a heartbeat. I’ve never had a painful shower in my life but here it was starring at my skin like the stare I’d give to Abena. With every drop, I could feel my skin tear up. I wanted it to end, I prayed for forgiveness, I forgave those who had trespassed against me.

The day passed painfully and slowly, the night wasn’t any better. Why would it be? when the sun wouldn’t see me a son. The night was long and lonely. Day 3 brought hope, afterall that was when there was resurrection. I had resurrected from life’s stressors. Instead of visiting the disciples, I decided to stay in the tomb. I watched a movie or two, played some music, revisited age of empire, called some old acquaintances, and passed the day peacefully.

Then came the day of reckoning. I walked to the toilet as I did every morning, and it smelled good. This should have been good news, probably Lokki passed the night clean and dry. I took a bow to check the litter, lo and behold, it had contents, then I knew I had it. The next question, where? when? how? But then I’ve learned over the years not to worry when the harm has already been done. Just get a solution.

Fast forward, test results came out positive. I had fully recovered from all the terrible symptoms but ammonia could easily pass for water for me. I would get up in the morning, line up series of items hoping I could utilize my olfactories, but they had deserted me. You definitely don’t know what you have until you lose it, and this was it, my smell was gone. No matter how knowledgeable you might be on a subject matter, the brain has a mind of its own. I began to look up complications, and it really wasn’t helpful.

For someone who hates taking meds, I was religious with this one. Why wouldn’t I? For the next week, my morning routine would be a smelling test, and I failed beautifully in all. Madam Chong’s warm water, lime, and ginger inhalation was added to the morning routine. Ten days down the line I started regaining my sense of smell. Interestingly, it didn’t come back as quickly as it disappeared. But eventually, I got it back.

Like old, with a touch of gold
So unique, and full of bold
Rain drops, with a wind of cold
Lips kiss, and secrets untold

So paid, with a fat cheque
Many unsaid, and a fact check
Set to sail, without a wreck
And lots of fun, at the deck

Hours travelled, to spend a minute
Got a second, such coldness
Tears drop, splashes dust into the eyes
Just another day, of selfish gains

Love lost, gone with the wind
Found anew, at the swipe of a wand
Lay back, sing with the band
Unto the next one, with memories anew

Within the past few weeks, there has been an adrenaline rush, pulses have raced, hearts have skipped a beat, wrinkles have further furrowed, sweats are dripping.

This mind-boggling entity is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t care for the rich, the poor, does not have preference for a football team and certainly not a discriminator of race.
It doesn’t budge, doesn’t stop, it’s relentlessly spreading throughout the human race.

Scientists have researched, world leaders have turned in their seats, religious leaders have prayed, holy books- Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita… name it, have been sought for answers, mothers have fiercely protected their babes under their wings, schools have shutdown, the economy is dipping, train stations have been deserted, shelves of shops have been wiped off provisions, sanitizers are the most sought after items, borders have been closed, memes have been made, alarmists have had their turn. What in the world could affect the lives of us busy humans? They named it COVID-19.

It’s interesting how a virus can be so small and minute and yet have the power to affect the whole of humanity in diverse ways.

Humanity has been caught up in the unnecessary hullabaloos of life. Religious bodies are entrenched in their doctrines and have missed their core essence. Money makers have been egocentrically caught up in building empires for themselves and their families rather than creating a legacy.

At this point, Romans 3:23 cannot be reiterated any further, for man has fallen short of the true essence of our beings and why we really are on this earth.

Though COVID-19 may seem like the worst plague that has hit the globe in our lifetime, it is also important to acknowledge the good that comes out of it. For every manifestation in life has a reason and intention behind it and it‘s time to give attention to those.

It’s time to give attention to our innate nature and personas. What qualities are you here on earth to represent?

It’s time to focus on your sole purpose; it’s time to have a conversation with that family member or old friend. It’s time to drop a coin for that old lady who sits down the street begging. It’s time to have that family unit. It’s no doubt, Corona has brought a sense of community feeling. So, it’s time to enjoy your loved ones, it’s time to notice the freckles and beauty spots on the face of your lover. Time to help your kids with their homework and tuck them in bed. Time to realize that we are all one people, breathing the same air, bathing the same sun and eating from the same bowl – Mother Earth. Even Corona virus is not racist or does not think one religion superior over the other; it affects whoever regardless.

It’s about TIME we RESET!!!
Let’s not quiver in fear and panic. We are bigger and better than this.
Let’s not give this mere pathogen the importance it does not deserve. Rather let’s give importance to it’s core essence and caring for those affected.
Let’s not make mockery of the situation or be alarmists.

Let us, with hearts of OPTIMISM, support our world leaders, our scientists, our doctors, nurses and health person to bring us to the light at the tunnel’s end. Kudos to our front runners.

Without the darkness, nothing comes to birth as without light nothing flowers.
Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.

So, choose what you want to do during this period. Either you shrivel in fear or be the light in this period of darkness.

It’s entirely in your hands. 🤷🏽‍♀

Written by: Dr. Naa Dei Komley Tetteh

As I reached for the bed pan, she puked, drenching me and my nurse in her vomit. I smiled, and the relatives looked sorry for me. I cared less though, for in the moment of her desperation, she was in no mood to apologize and neither was I even expecting one. My gaze was set on the monitor and the fluid on her, hoping every drop would bring her some comfort.

They say the good things in life are free but at that moment, they had eluded her. I could feel she would have paid anything for those, but sometimes you just can’t have it all. Moments prior to her arrival, she was in the company of friends, sharing smiles, and love befitting of the eve to the most love-cladded day in the year. Not even on Easter Friday do people show much love reminiscent of what was shown mankind on the cross. But here she was with all those memories forgotten, alone in pain, alone in suffering.

As I pushed in every drug, I looked at my drenched clothes, hoping she got better soon, so I could go change my clothes and take a shower.

In the midst of chaos, love brings serenity. In darkness, it shines. And in peace, who needs heaven? Happy Vals Day Abena.

Forgive me pastor, for I have sinned. I wish to make a confession. I have spoken against the cathedral, and all citizenry who believe it is necessary. I might have spoken against the president, and a few honorables. How honorable? I do not know. I have spoken against a corrupt system. I have criticized the voice of the people. But now I realize the voice of the people is not the voice of God. For the voice of God will never be heard, at least in my country. Well, we have perforated our eardrums; we only hear so much noise, and discharge so much debris. We do not know what we pray for, and the Spirit does not bear witness for us again. We want to demolish buildings when our children sit in dust to read. And then raise other buildings when our children still sit in dust to read. We want to export nurses to Europe, when Adjobue has only one community nurse. We want to take turns in who spends our money, when Rwanda is 5th in efficiency of government spending. We want to fly guinea fowls and drones, when Mauritius celebrates 45 years of being malaria free.

Pastor, forgive me, for I have sinned. I have lied, and cheated, and done so many wrongs. Forgive me, for I have killed innocent ones. I have caused a soul to cry. I did not help those who needed me. But more importantly, the cathedral again. There are a million and one churches already. Some even bigger than the cathedral. But our souls are as dark as the devils feet. Never seen it before though. We don’t serve you as much as you would want. Those advocating for His edifice are too corrupt for his eyes to behold them. They are not Solomon. They are not David. God has not told them to build. Because I know if God doesn’t build the house, the builder builds in vain. We need educational reforms. We need healthcare. They don’t care because they can travel outside to seek the best. Most of us even don’t have passports and American embassy will always bounce us all the same so we are stuck with the few ones that have decided to stay.

We need good agricultural reforms. We want to eat what we plant. We don’t want shoprite and game and max mart. We want Abokyi Farms. We want Kwaku Manu Cattle and skimmed milk. We want Aunty Muni Waakye. We want 80% of what we eat to be home grown.

We need good roads. The road to Lekma hospital is a death trap. The Kumasi-Accra highway has been long overdue. We don’t want any Dubai. We want Bechem, and Peki, and Salaga. We want them to be beautiful for what they are. We don’t want any replica that doesn’t have streetlights. We want a new airport. How can we be Africa’s Hub with Terminal 3. It’s a flood zone. We want more, like Twist. Twist their heads if not their brains oh Lord. They know what is good but they also know where to keep the money. They kiss it in their pockets. They buy V8 for celebrities and talkatives. They take ex gratia every 4 years. They live luxuriously with fat salaries, besides the unaccounted, and still do not pay bills nor buy fuel.

Forgive me pastor for I have sinned. I have spoken unrestrained. I have spoken about issues many would die for. I have had my own share of greed and dishonesty and disloyalty. I know we are all not perfect but they used a third of Ridge’s budget to build UGMC and UGMC is three times as big as Ridge. Why? We don’t want just free education, we want free and quality education. If that can’t be, please just give us only quality. Review our syllabus. We’ve used it for ages but still import toothpicks. Why? Our engineers are not given contracts. Our teachers are not respected. Our nurses are unemployed. Our degree de3, we use it for groundnuts. Who gave them that name honorable?

Forgive me pastor, for I am a talkative. I don’t know when not to talk and when to stop. I want to end here. But there are million things I would have loved to say. Just as the chamber has been dropped, please God, let them drop other things. For there are far more important things we need. For if I speak in tongues, and I love not my neighbor, what good shall I gain. For if we have the bank hospital, and we only put on the lights at night, who will pay PDS, sorry ECG, their bills?