Oblivion by Ellis Ayitey Komey

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I want to remember the fallen palm

With whitening fluid of wine

Dripping from its hardened belly

In this forest of life.

I want to remember it from the road

With mud on my feet,

And thorn-scraped flesh

From the branches by the water.

I want to remember them well

The sight of the green-eyed forest

The jubilant voices of the frogs

And the pleading cries of the owls.

I want to walk among the palms

With their razor-edged leaves

Shadowing the yam and cassava shrubs

Under which the crab builds its castle

And the cocoa pods drooping like mothers

Breasts feeding a hungry child.

I want to remember them all

Before they die and turn to mud

When I have gone.