The Only Pen

(To Dr. Bate Bessong, Memoriam)

Just your name was a shame to them

Your return from Ibadan was a national day

The Kaiser advocated for your kidnapping

Yet you shut them with “Disgrace”

Even those at the university were flabagastered by your pen

I was ashame you didn’t open a church

Today there is no pen to continue

Only sleeping writers

Singing for their women

No! I have found the pen

In the dusty road of Mamfe

See you, Cameroon’s vintage

- Saron Obia