African Poem: "The Way I Would Like To Die" by R.E.G Armattoe
Note*: R.E.G. Stands for Rapheal Earnest Grail
Hi AfricanLab Attendants, Quite an age, We sincerely miss you.
Today, we are going to make another brief "experiment" on one of our anticipating and beautiful African Poetry.
We shall today, titrate on a man of wisdom and great intellect, R.E.G. Armattoe in one of his poem which he christened, "The Way I Would Like To Die."
What did he mean when he was composing this poem? Have you ever pray to die young just like this poet had said?
Probably No! Nobody pray to die young but before judging, let quickly perform the experiment and make a good result out of it...
Read below >>>>>>
Brief Biography about Rapheal Ernest Grail Armattoe
R.E.G. Armattoe was born in 1913 at Denu in the Gold Coast. When he was 13, his father sent him to Europe to complete his studies.
He became a medical doctor by profession and work in Northern Ireland for ten years. He returned to Gold Coast in 1950 and entered into politics but found it impossible to fit into the political scene in the country. In 1953, he led a delegation to the U.N.O. to canvass for the Union of French and British Togo. On his way back, he died in a fatal accident in Germany.
R.E.G. Armattoe was a very versatile man, he was a physician, anthropologist, historian and poet. He published numerous books and articles on various subjects.
His poetry was published in two volumes, Between the forest and The Sea which was privately reproduced from typescript in Londonerry, N. Ireland, in 1950, and Deep Down the Blackman's Mind which this poem was taken.
- This is the way I'd like to go,
If you must know.
I would like to go while still young,
While the dew is wet on the grass;
To perish in a great air crash,
With a silver ' plane burning bright
Like a flashing star in the night;
While the huge wreckage all ablaze,
Shine brightly for my last embrace
I'd like to see the flame consume
Each nerve and bone and air and nail,
Till of dust naught but ash remains.
Or as stone, swiftly sink unseen.
But if I should hear someone wail,
Because dust has gone back to dust,
Mad furry, I shall return
To smite the poor wretch on the head.
So, let me go when I am young,
And the dew is still on the fern,
With a silver ' plane burning bright,
Like a flashing star in the night.
Mother, do not grieve when I'm gone!
This is my wish; I'd have it so.
This mere burden of flesh was I,
Whom you loved and tended dearly
But you, my love, where'er you be,
Remember these warm lips of mine
That pour their youthful passion out,
These wide eyes that mirrored my my soul
And beheld wonders in your eyes;
This mind that godlike stood alone,
The head that lay in your gentle lap,
The very hand that held this pen,
The heart that daring reached the heights,
The all of me that gave you joy,
Cleansed now of all impurities
By the red all-devouring flames,
Will though dust, remain, believe me,
Part of th'eternal Mind of God.
Anthology: "The Way I Would Like To Die" by Raphael Earnest Grail Armattoe
• In Line 4: While the dew is wet on the grass - The dew is usually wet on the grass in the morning, hence the image here recalls another metaphorical phrase, the morning of life, when we are still young.
• In Line 31: This mind that godlike stood alone - Armattoe refers to himself, perhaps to his lone struggle against what he considered political ineptitude and ignorance.
• In Line 37: The imagery here was taken from the refining of Gold.