Talking These Trade Winds
By Andrene Bonner

What of the wind tonight
Weeping these Blue Mountains
Tree branches conspire
Birds need find new rest.

What of the wind tonight
The haunting dessert whistles
Like songbirds in distress
Dogs howl and children hide.

What of the wind tonight
Three days uprooted crops
Blew away helpless fronds
Raise frocks high as acacia tree.

What of the wind tonight
Make forest fires cruel burn
Like hot desires atop lovers leap
Now desolate of passion’s flames.

What of the wind tonight
Fierce like man strong enough
To contemplate prison doors open
For poor man’s freedom come.

What of the wind tonight
Ancestral duppies like feral horses
Demand a proper burial
Raucous like thunder rolling.

What of the wind tonight
Echoing drums of Asante warriors
Beating down the oppressors
From Accompong to Nanny Town.

What of the wind tonight
Resonates the lip service of
Propaganda politricking as if
To better educate the masses.

What of the wind tonight
These talking trade winds that
Speak of time on this here island
Seem as if it’s going to rain.

Partings II: Mimosa Pudica
by Andrene Bonner

Since you left my love
I close like shame-mi-lady
Autumn secrets hide.