A few people
rushed for them, but his gaze, turned me off.
From a
distance, he looked so void of contentment, while on board the train.
His “Tchoronko”
phone was very conspicuous, and the screen was in tatters.
The footwear
complimented my thoughts – tough times unending in the new heavens!
His eyes
were inviting; he had a story he wanted to share, I guessed!
Our common
background could help us understand each other better.
But I
remained pre-occupied how the story might end!
I presumed
he was lucky his body didn’t get swept off to the shores by the ocean waves!
He made it
in the journey, but the dreams of transformation never came true!
Maybe, he
was yet to wave the magic wand to hit the dream jackpot – many others did!
At the next
stop, the seats by him became empty again!
He looked at
me, with greater expectation!
I fell for
his charm this time! A new adventure, it could be, I thought to myself!
He stretched
his hand and clutched mine, with a tight fist, and complemented with a toast!
I couldn’t doubt
further that he was feeling relaxed with me and he would pour his mind!
Within a
short time, he had spoken 4 different languages, trying to figure out which one
I understood.
English and
French were our common denominator! He was Ivorian and his English was impeccable!
He burst out
in ecstasy when I told him I was from Cameroon!
He spoke about
Samuel Eto’o and could name all the Cameroon players of the 1990 squad.
We had a
moment of laughter and joy to set the stage!
But I was
still a little nervous! “Ashia e no di helep” and that is all I could offer at the end!
Five years, he
told me, he had been around! And that he recently re-located to the countryside;
a little shelter there he could find!
Rents in the
city, he could not pay! Life in the city had become too hostile to the crawling.
His little
earnings from sweeping the streets could sustain him in the country side,
even if just
to see the next day!
Then I asked
him about his family! “I can’t even fuel my own engine!”, he told me.
“The city is
dry – no jobs, nothing and no one cares”, he continued.
His English was
so good! One needs a good brain to be multilingual!
Then he
expected me to pour my frustrations in the land.
But he felt
so jealous when he learnt I was just transiting and I will be back to Africa!
Then, his
story took a different turn, like the Everly Brothers’ (Bob Dylan’s) “Take a
message to Mary”
Take
a message to Mary but don't tell her where I am
Take a message to Mary but don't say I'm in a jam
You can tell her I had to see the world or tell her that my ship set sail
You can say she'd better not wait for me but don't tell her I'm in jail
Oh, don't tell her I'm in jail
Take a message to Mary but don't say I'm in a jam
You can tell her I had to see the world or tell her that my ship set sail
You can say she'd better not wait for me but don't tell her I'm in jail
Oh, don't tell her I'm in jail
Mary here
refers to the sons of Africa within the continent, who could turn their eyes to
developing the continent. He wanted them to hear his story, so they could “find
someone else to cherish and to hold; for this cell is cold”
He dreamt of
the day he would go back to his roots.
But for the
time being, he was lost! He was stuck, and the cell was cold!
The dreams
he had were all fantasies in his new-found land!
He risked
all to get there, but now could not return home without games from the 5-year
hunting expedition! He was lost! He was stuck!
You can’t
expect to get into the house through the window and be invited to the dining
table!
You may be
lucky, to have a new dawn; yes, it is very likely! But recognize your self-esteem!
It may be
hard to walk in through the open door. But, remember your self-worth! It is
priceless!
Memories from the Island of Sicily, Italy
©Akaba A James,
June 2017
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