Easter Kites
Boys like girls anticipate Easter season
when a reeling feeling of elation reigns
Lent is protracted fasting as purging of
my soul: pensive for spiritual check-up
feeble mind body as soul need tune-up.
But kids abhor fasting this Good Friday
mandated hours, when few would cheat
as folks lavish each measure in pleasure.
Easter kites mimic Christ’s Resurrection.
Sierra Leonean children fly plastic kites
all year round, longing to soar as eagles
craving for education as a decent lifestyle.
Easter Sunday unveils grand celebrations
pealing Hallelujah Chorus, seasoned with
triumphant hymns, a gourmet of the choir.
As a choir boy, inspiration pipes a line-up
of classical pieces. Airing a solo gives me
platform to express my unique vocal talent.
End of a prolonged worship, offers time for
refreshment, with glutinous feasting galore
at Easter, hungry kids continue flying kites
precious deep memories linger in my soul.
It’s hard embracing Easter Eggs, culturally
alien to me: carved on innate African mold.
Sometimes, acculturation is a yoke of lead
burdensome to bear on a clueless journey.
Jesus, an unpaid babysitter of clear-eyed
mission, shepherds me each day and night.
Roland Bankole Marke copyright 2010
Roland B. Marke is the author of 2 collections of poetry: Teardrops Keep Falling (Therapeutic poems), and Silver Rain and Blizzard (Angelic Flames). His third book is Harvest of Hate: Stories and Essays (Fuel for the Soul). His poems and book review have appeared in Journal of African Literature (JALA), World Press, Pambazuka, Black Diaspora, Manor Vision, Szirine magazine, One Ghana One Voice, Xulon Press, and Florida Times Union to name a few. Website is www.rolandmarke.com
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