A LOOK AT OUR CULTURAL / RELIGIOUS PRACTICE

O MEN OF TODAY

By Suntou Touray

This little piece is dedicated to all mothers in the Senegambia whose husband's took up second wife and left the first wife cold-shouldered. The phrase our 'mothers' is meant to include all mothers as women of grace and honour.


A common trend of abandoning the first wife is despicable.
The bound that was first in place is the most honourable.
The relationship that flourished when wealth was little is most genuine.
The love that prevailed then was the most mutual.
The laughers and jokes joyously shared came from the hearts most real.
The passionate kisses and stirs were for love indeed.

O MAN OF TODAY
For whom the downing of age brings with it the lowering of affections.
Why love that was there turns into just mere familiarity?
The friendship needed to help overcome disagreement is all but gone.
No more laughter; no light hearted jokes to share.
It all fades way But why?.

O MAN OF TODAY
Why have you changed old man?
What has the once good and beautiful woman done wrong?
The mandate to take up another love is part of our culture.
But why go about it this ugly way?
You have eyed a younger love, a younger darling, a younger sweet heart.
The older queen says not a problem with that.
No power to stop you from engaging your new found fairy
The old queen fears about you taking up another bride
The fear of being left out is telling.
Many men have done just that.

O MAN OF TODAY
Think of yesterday when life was different
Why swift your allegiance to another so uncompromisingly?
The older queen is left bewildered.
Man of grace can you imagine the loneliness?
Once the new queen takes over the older one is left alone.
Man of today will you remember yesterday?
You make it like the older queen is of no use any more.
You hardly talk to her.
Your kind heart is taken over by another angel of merry making.

You talk but not with her. You smile but not with her.
You still joke but still not with her, but why, why, why.




O MAN OF TODAY
Do you even wonder, wonder how your old love is feeling?
What happened to the good old days?
When the two of you enjoy much fun
With least money and little material.
Now you are not interested in the past.

You are madly in-love; so blindly in-love with this new bride.
You block all the thoughts of the past.
You even try to distance from your own children.
Just to avoid offending the new iron lady
A lady of higher demands and commands.

It is then that the old queen realises that the old love is no more.
With your body present but gone your spirit in the wilderness.
How many women are left on the side line for the younger brides?
Man you still think you are younger.
Yes you hide behind tradition allowing you second and third wife.
For every privilege there are obligations
You are bound by rules laid down by God.
For those wishing to take another bride.
Do you imagine what penalties lies ahead, man of today?

You call it education, you call it being wise
Account yourself before you are accounted.
Look into yourself and see how the old love is feeling.

Remember the good old days.
Remember when it was the two of you
Mirror in the feelings of the older queen.
She deserves not to be left alone.
Treat your children equally. Treat your spouses equally.
If you know you can't handle two love then stick with one.

Man of today don't be ungrateful.
Your children may abandon you also.
They may not tolerate their mother being left alone.
They cannot accept her sadness.

O MAN OF TODAY
Remember time is not on your side.
The hammer of the lord awaits all tyrants and persons of injustice.
Don't fool yourself

Stop now. Correct your misguided actions.
Apologise to the old queen!! .
Bring her back into your life, let true love take over again.