The Golden Coast

I have come to the Golden Coast
Where poverty and beauty go hand in hand
Here I stand like a beacon of white light
Amongst the dark chocolate tones of the people

Welcome to Ghana

I have come to the Golden Coast
Where the blazing sun saps my strength
Here I stand splattered in freckles and sweat
Wishing for colder nights ahead

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where the church hymns sing joy deep into your bones

Here I stand amongst colorful African prints

Surrounded by smiles and curious looks

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where the woman carry baskets on their heads

Here the mangoes are sweet and goats wander the streets

And in the morning I awaken to the roosters crow

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where there is a place that the mad people are not hungry

I have stood in the shade of the mango tree

Where the flame of the Shekinah clinic was first lit

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where time is not written in stone

Here the people speak in many different tongues

And neither faith nor religion is cause for dispute

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where they say the land wears shimmering red dirt

I have come to see, to smell to taste

To breathe in all of Ghana

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where the swirl of beauty and tragedy are hard to distinguish

Here I stand; often uncomfortable and uncertain

And some days I do not know why I have come

I have come to the Golden Coast

Where the needs are great but the means are not

Here I stand, a stranger in this land

That has forever taken a piece of my heart

Thank you Ghana

Posted by Camille Galloway