Sunday, September 19, 2010

the banana trunks 9


By debsHB

Banana Trunk











The night fall in the village
The shadows amongst the trees and bushes
The silent wind and the smiling moon
The hot humid air floating into nostrils

The stars shining bright
Twinkling in the moon light
The witches in the sky
The whisperers of stars

The elder sits on his usual stool
Leaning his body against the wooden wall
He lights up his rolled up cigarettes puffing smoke
As he watches his young audience trooping in

He sits with his kerosene light
It casts shadows amongst the small crowd
"Now girls and boys I shall begin
The story of the farmer and what he sees"

"Daddy I am afraid
The smiling faces on the banana trees"
"In a while daughter the sun will rise
You will not be afraid of the darkness"

The two sisters quickly transform
Blending it into the banana trees
For the sun light will be rising.....
It is best they would be hiding

The dogs bark in the early morning
As the farmer wakes up his daughter
"Honey time to go to school
I know you have a rough night"

The girl yawns stretching her arms
Staring at her father she let out a scream
"Hey....what's wrong with you?"
"There is a woman behind the window"

The farmer walks to get a peep
He sees it is Amina the woman next door
"It's our neighbour walking to do her exercise
Every morning she will walk pass our house"

The daugher gets ready for school
She cycles along the quiet untarred road
Smiling at the cool morning with sun raining on her
The farmer walks up to the banana orchard............


When he arrives he surveys his surrounding

Yesterday it was something he saw with his binocular

He walks around the banana trees inspecting each trunk

At the final end of the line he sees the imprint of shapes


He stops staring at the banana trunks

Shape of women blending into the banana trees

Eyes close body tuning into the banana colour

He blinks his eyes a few times trying to make sure


He slowly touches the banana trunks

He feels warm vibration generating from his touches

He feels his hands trembling as he realizes what it is

His dead wife has returned to her farm.........................


The shape becomers clearer in his eyes

Drawing him closer to her bidding.........

"You know me farmer; know what I am!"

The farmer closes his eyes trying to forget


He runs away quickly

He can't believe what he just saw

"She can't be alive now

She was dead one week ago!"


Even Usian Bolt can't challenge him

The farmer speeds along like the wind

He seems to fly above ground running away

He turns once to look then he tumbles down


He knocks a few boxes

He gets up legs wobbily

As he glances towards the banana trees

Amina runs to him "Are you alright?"

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