From Tamale to Tema Station,
I have endured the fine brown dust particles
that coloured my face.
The weather that cracked my lips,
gave my skin a pale white look
and made my throat crave a river
every time the sun was furious.
But I am curious.
Where are we sleeping tonight?
Are we joining the bats at thirty-seven
to hang upside down?
Or are we joining the front yard
of the Shops Sleepers Association?
Maybe we are following
the stray dogs and cats
as they sleep wherever they settle.
Perhaps, we are not sleeping.
We are working until daybreak.
Are we joining the night workers?
The ones in sexy clothes,
the ones in uniform with long sticks,
Or the ones who drink blood and use brooms?
If we are not working,
then I hope we can sing.
When we do sing,
we should add soft claps,
gentle taps of the feet
and the swaying of our bodies.
When singing,
we must sound soulful.
So, the trees and the wandering spirits
could also enjoy our tunes.
Then hopefully,
the mosquitoes would also listen,
and not try to sing along in our ears.
If we do sing,
what would be our song?
Would it be ‘heaven knows we are going’?
Or ‘we've come from far’?
I have heard them once or twice,
but I am not from Accra,
I won’t be able to sing well.
I am a sojourner
seeking greener pastures in the South
And you, you are my first friend.
Which is why I ask:
Where are we sleeping tonight?
Ago Serwaa is a young lady with wild dreams. A graduate of the University of Cape Coast. She has featured in lit mags such as Ta Adesa, Tsooboi, an anthology by Tampered Press, and Black Girls Glow. She is part of Ghana’s Writers’ Marathon and is currently working on an anthology of poems and a novel.
IG: @ago.o_serwaa
X: @Ago_Serwaa