Nuah Padmore
Clear Rivercess Bassa to my Kwii Dialect
Black and red we tumble in bed
Like palm nuts beat in a mortar
The clouds chased away
By the bright starlit night
Shining through the unfinished thatch roof
Nyeezwo sweet Bassa ma with your puckered lips
Like the wild honey of Nimba County
Seductively swaying voluptuous hips
Aphrodite has nothing on you
Your breasts are like two young roes
From the Song of Solomon
Black and comely you are indeed
Your smile ivory
The choicest of products the Charlies used to bring
Help me sweet Bassa ma
I am smitten
Your hair like full grain corn plaited in exquisite design
Is tied around my neck
Leading me to the creek
Where the Jinas have laid their net for me
You laugh with deep intention
Wise like the old cotton tree you whisper secrets
I stomp my feet to the beat of the drums
There is no escaping the night rhythm
Soft like dumboy you kiss me with palm wine
Anointing me with your delicious sweat
Until the birds chirp their morning greeting
And you sing to me in Bassa
On the Road to Ganta
On the road to Ganta I met a girl
One fine young Kpelle girl
With all the sass of a Kru woman
I speak to her say, “Ko Mein?”
The girl slap my face
I not even know why
I say, “but whattin you do that one for?
The girl answer, “You nah know?”
I say, “I know I will ask?”
She ask me, “Whattin are you?”
I answer, “I Liberian man”
She say, “yaw not treat us good, dah why”
Essential
Lovelier than the stars and the moon
I am struck by your beauty,
Bedazzled
Every move you make
Reminding me
I am a man
A hopeless slave
Nailed to your cross
Wise in the ways of the heart
O my sweet darling
Make me your essential
Allow me to taste your lips
Now and forever more
Nuah, well done and very creative. keep it up you might end up number 1 Liberian writer.
your father will be proud of U so is the rest of the family.
Your writing is both evocative and provocative. Refreshing. Your reverence for women shines in these poems. Thanks for sharing your work.
love this!
As always…lovely!
You are a romantic at heart. Your poems are an interesting contrast to those written by your female counterpart. You balance the harsh realities with lines like “Make me your essential.” Some of the female poets are asking their men to do exactly that.
i’ve known your poetry all your life, always loved it, and loved talking about it all night long. and now it has matured like good old wine. i’m delighted to witness the growth of a poet.