THE LOST SHADOW OF THE BAOBAB TREE

Cries, shouts and tears

From the throne room splits their eardrums

The mournful sounds of the flute echo woefully

And shatter the silent dim night

The gong-gong beaters in slim loin cloths

Dish out their messages somberly

To the shocked –still night.

The women flung their cloths

On the red earth not to praise

Or welcome but to weep and sing dirges

The men fold their arms

Shake their heads and hit their chest

Doom lurks in the darkness

And its long hand is inevitable

To the Majesty and the Pauper