Dembe’s Dust

this don't do it justice ..

Dembe’s Dust

 

Even as young Dembe

sweeps

a new days dust into

another,

even fresher pile ..

He turns

and takes a sly look

back across

a shoulder, spits and

twists

his face into a smile ..

Time for tea,

he asks through teeth

so white

one dare not stare at

them too long

for fear of going blind ..

Then leans

like some old man with

fingers crossed

atop his faithful broom

and waits

for an answer that he

wanted but ..

He knew would never

come since

Adame the house-girl

was always 

far too busy darning

holes in prayer mats

and making

rice for the new Twobab ..

 

 

Author's Note

Based on real observations during 6 months as a volunteer at a West African psychiatric hospital .. Toobab is the name still often given to white folk and stems from the old colonial days when locals would beg for money by asking for two bob or two shillings .. I lived in an old iron shipping container until offered a wooden hut by my hostess Hannah who took pity on me .. Adame was her housekeeper while Dembe just swept dust from here to there .. and spat .. well they all did actually ..

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

I had to do some research here Neville and read your interesting notes to fully understand. You my friend certainly get about and experience first hand how others live, in circumstances most of us will never know. The imagery here has such clarity, I could have been a fly on the wall. So I conclude by thanking you twice, for your service to others less fortunate and for bringing their plight to our attention by means of your educational poetry.

Chris

[Neville]

I am honoured that you should think such a thing & of course for the visit my friend ... Neville

[DIVYA]

This was such a delightful poem. Especially as I grew up in Africa. Could picture Dembe in my head with his teeth. Understandably, the Toobab took precedence. In Tanzania, they're called Zungus. Loved your Author's Note so interedting and informative. And yes, the spitting is common and frequent.

[Neville]

Your insight becomes you dear Lady D and I am so grateful for a glimpse of it here .. Neville