Joyetta Senyennoh Satiah

Morning Bath

Sleep deserts me like steam escaping a closed pot
My pillow whispers that I return to the Land of Lies
Yet I sluggishly stretch to awaken my flagging limbs
While my brain is still screaming that I rise

Nature’s artists are already on guard
“ Ku-ku-lee-o-ku”, sings Auhn-tee’s red and black cock
Awakening all of Paynesville, Jacobtown
From atop his favorite mountain of rocks

It’s mid-July, the height of the rainy season
And so cool as if I’m at Mount Nimba’s peak
Even my sagging breasts are now aroused
And my skin’s a fine sandpaper sheet

A pail of water is on the fire hearth
Drawn by Cece who’s still sturdy though kind of old
Seventy plus but still moves with a youthful strut
And rises before dawn so I don’t catch a cold

Soon I throw my lappa on a pawpaw tree branch
Then Mesurado’s zephyr hugs me like a new boyfriend
Perched naked on a stone like some juju man’s god
I wish this part of my day would never end

Mourning the Patriarch
More ancient than the cotton tree
Providing a canopy of coolness
To Hanty pa’s rusted, corrugated shack
Grateful for the break from the scorching heat
Women from all over the Kru Coast
Ritually pass snuff and bottles of
Gin, Cane Juice, Roots
Sneezing- wailing
Swigging – wailing
Shaking – wailing
All mourning
Bereaved

The saddened, bruised flowers of the Hibiscus plants
Demarcating the lush green mat
From the broad tabella field
Detach their pistils and curtsy to the ground.
The potted Praying Hands rebels
Refuses to proclaim Amen
Yes it will be like the other pagan plants
Just for this week
Rotted Pawpaws cling to their branches in reverence
Knowing the Ground, too must kowtow, starve, suffer
Mourn

The brown plump Roaches making their nightly pilgrimage
Flying
Hoping the flickering garage lights were the gates of heaven
Where they would fly forever
Singing Halleluiah Joy
Will walk till he’s one with the earth
Even the Wall Geckos
Unable to shed their scaly whites
Like their no-legged cousins
And wear the color of the dead
Black
Vow to remain in the walls
In the dark.
Grieve

Rifted Friendship

My entire being is clogged
With clouds of regret
Knowing the stony path
Leading to you has dissipated
Piecing kernels smashed into tiny bits
Is an easier task
Time has flown
And the tale has ended
Without hero or villain
As days turn into Piccasa sets
And the bond we once had
Shrivels, distorts, eventually decays
Like aging fruit
I pray only the fondest
Of memories stay
To massage the rigidity
Of your heart

Deserted (16)
A smile ‘tween 2 friends
Sparks emotions denied
Alone in the world
To belong I do strive
Just feel so darn lost
Like a blind bird that flies
No motherly talk
My body’s a surprise
How could she do this
I oft ask myself why
Should have aborted
Just to make sure I died
But chose to desert
Blaming so many lies
Yet prance around town
Like a woman who’s kind
Forget her I must
Yes I just have to try
Fight thru this harsh world
But can no longer hide
Anguish that fills  me
With demons I can’t fight
Have to forgive her
But to save my own life . . .

The Beauty of Scars
Dark, ugly, calloused, scars
Grace the stunning vista
Of my smooth cocoa skin
And adorn the contours
Of my gallivanting soul
Yet I’ll continue
To frolic carelessly
On the mountainous rocks
Of the falls of Kpatawee

And though love thieves
Continue to contuse and abuse
My chest remains unlocked
Since sores and welts are brief
Whilst by taking life by the leash
I create lovely, ceaseless memories
As I still live, love, lose, bruise
I pray more scars will appear
Proclaiming, Healing is Near

Copyright © Joyetta Senyennoh Satiah