'Freezing in Sunshine' by Ama Ata Aidoo

I watched my first Yankee blizzardfrom a warm cozy room:storm windows secure,radiators singing,and the snow itself glittering fluffy and fragrantlike the suds from white boubousthat were already clean before this last wash.

There were twenty more years between then andsome nasty falls on themuch-trodden, stone- hard, eel-smoothcollege snowof north Ohio.

My Dear Brother, I could still havesympathized from herewhere the sun is abundant,its instant warmth and promises ofpower unlimited and ready for harvestingwhere the earth and the sea compete togush gold gold, black gold or brownto glean cash to fill the gapsIf need be.Rather,I freezewith private fear at our public impotence:hit as we are by a leadership’s steely hate thatcamouflages as mereindifference,mediocrity, andsenseless greed.

The chill is in my bones, My Brother, andSelf-pityblocksmy humanity.

– by Ama Ata AidooLashibi, 18/02/15