Harmattan! Poem by Augustine Yirideme

From the horizon of the scorching Sahara
With blindening dust, to the arid Savannah,
Across Paga, Poyentanga and Gambaga,
Through Kokoligu, Pwalugu and Bunkpurugu;

Your sound rumbling and rippling.
Your impact at night sweetly tickling;
At noon your force painfully cracking, wrinkling.
Trees, branches here and there swinging, dangling,

Leaves helplessly withering, falling.
The crow, the mantis and their neighbours, to-and-fro flying, chirping,
Chilly mornings playing host to small fires feebly glowing
The old and the young, their near-frozen palms and feet warming,
Yams, nuts and grains roasting, cracking, boiling.

You bring sweetness;
Yes, the new harvest and all in readiness
But you are bitter too; see, our beautiful women's lips,
The noses of vibrant kids, my own feet,
All drying, shrinking, cracking.

Harmattan, sweet, bitter! !

By Augustine Yirideme