Vintage Nights

We would gather in a tiny room at sunset – our kitchen
Throats thirsty in anticipation of dinnertime
We sat in an unstructured group of five
Mama and Papa dined on the single table available
My sisters aided in dishing out the rice meal - jollof
Big brother sat all alone – feeling a false sense of seniority
My twin and I solely concentrated on the meal being served
Hardly ever paying attention to anything else
Then sat Grandma and her diverse camp of pets
Papa teased and mocked every one of us
Mama contemplated about who warranted the loftier chunk of meat
Her hardworking husband or last-born twins
The latter always won
Big sister bragged about college life
Late-night parties and no lecture days
Second sister ensured we all ate to our fill
My twin and I knew no satisfaction
We unceasingly asked for more
Big brother overwhelmed us with the names of underground rappers
Majority of whom he claimed were his mates from school
My twin and I merely argued about who ate the most food
Grandma shared her meal and conversations with the pets
We drank cheap juice afterwards
Listened to African folklore
Rehearsed songs composed by Papa
Laughed about fights we had witnessed
Applauded those who came out top in class assessments – I never merited one
We shared in titles of books
Mama constantly quoted a scripture or two
We chatted endlessly
With satisfied bellies and smiles
Mama notices our sleepy eyes
We say grace with one another
To one another, we say goodnight
Tuck ourselves into our antique beds
Allowing the vintage night to fade away
Today;
Mama eats all by herself - without Papa
Who, I’m told has embarked on an eternal journey
Desiring no meal on his return - if ever
Big Sister shares her meal with her newborn – my adorable niece
Second sister declines to eat after 6
Big brother feasts on food prepared by his lover
His love for music compels him to leave town – my twin
All but two of our pets are deceased
Leaving Grandma with only two mouths to feed
An indifferent cat and my favorite dog
That delights in troubling the cautious cat
My favorite meal is served but I’m surfeited
Tastes better yet swallowed sour
My portion of meat is larger yet unsatisfactory
For I crave the good old nights
Of many mouths yet fuller bellies
Cheap juice yet contented smiles
Ideal chatter and intermittent teases
Contagious laughter
The songs we sang together
In unison and love for our beautiful family
O’ how I long for those vintage nights

Written by;
Kenneth Atsu Dogbey
[Member of TDL]
Email comments and/or suggestions to dogbey19@gmail.com
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