By Kwame Okoampa-Ahoofe, Jr.

I am
no rabid hater,
dear enemy;
I did no devilish work
to deserve
your enemity:
I was minding
my own business
when you shot
your flintlock
through my roof -
dear enemy,
I did not ask
for this mid-morning
report of unprovoked
murders of my kinsmen
and women,
for the curious crime
of well-rewarded
diligence;
I only bear
glad tidings
of irrevocable
truths,
which are my choice
weaponry
against deceit...
dear enemy,
I am not afraid
of death,
my name ought to
tell you as much as
you desire and
need to know;
yes,
I am not afraid
of death
whose necklace
is my collar bone,
whose tentacles
are integral
to my destiny -
you cured me
of my fears
when your Abongo Boys
came for my kinsfolk
on the bench;
I am grandnephew
to Barima Ohemeng
whom you know
as Akyea-Mensah;
I know how to fight
bare-knuckled,
I am the scion
of Otumfuo Osei-Tutu
of Dwaben and
Asiakwa,
no presidential butler
nor herald is me,
I am
the spawn
of Osei-Tutu-Brempong,
fallen hero
of Prah,
son of Dwaben
Asona Clan,
Amuana-Praso
is my father's
stoolhouse
and throne,
Chief-Executioner
for Abuakwa-Susubiribi...
Silver-Stooled Mampong
is my cradle
of birth,
Nsawam-Adoagyiri
and Nkronso
are my footstools,
Nkoranza
is the germ
of my soul -
I go to sleep
at Manhyia
and arise
with the sun
at Adanse-Fomena;
enemy,
Boakye-Dankwa
is siblings with
Adwoa Apeakoramaa
of Kyebi-Adadientem,
grandniece of Dwaben's own
Onwona Asubonteng;
Adwampong
is my totem,
my dear enemy,
do I sound
like a Denkyira
slave?

10/6/13