YOUTH MASS

YOUTH MASS
The bell tolls...

The hungry church
Yawns the echoes of a languid
Mass---

Hymns hummed like
Bees trapped in an empty pot
Of fermented palmwine

The aged youth choir falls
Toad voices
And mosquito cries join
The unison to lift her up
Stray claps lead them on

Candle flames dance
On the altar----
Faltering at the turbulent
Breath of the priest

The drum kit stands
Resurrecting memories
Of Sunday

When the chapel shook
With heavenly vibrations
As the band puppeteered souls to the
Offering bowl

Where are the bandsmen
That the collection march resembles
A funeral procession?

Where are they that
A solemn nodding
A reluctant clapping---
The sickly agama-dancing
Is what vivacious Gifty can afford?

A painful smile
Of a pinched heart
Sprouts on the priest's face
His stentorian long prayer
Over the bread is responded
to with silence

A lector sits
Dreaming the last bite
Of Holy Communion
But wakes up to the Anima Christi

Before the "go in peace
The mass is ended"
I remember the word which was read
The homily that was said;
The little that I heard
How do I get it shared?

©Sarpong Kumankoma