Article Title: The ‘CV’ Effects

The Genesis of what commenced in a suburban community of China has been described and called by some as Wuang Wild Fire – WWF spreading across the length and breadth of the globe. Thus, like invisible terrorist causing unbearable soul damages and demise of the entire human race from Asia to America, Europe to Africa, beside across the oceans to Australia as well by the airwaves of flights to countries of the continents. Indeed, the news of its occurrence and how lives were affected in Wuang, China dated December of 2019. In fact, its severe deadly approach to multitudes in China made the ‘Word Health Organization – WHO’ came out with a name Corona Virus – CV as simplified initials. However, ‘Corona’ as a literal parlance means ‘Crown’. Well, in terms of how it relate to this virus still unknown and vaccine undiscovered. Once again, WHO also came out with it short pronunciation name CoViD-19 which is explained: Co = Corona, Vi = Virus, D = December, 19 = 2019. To some world medical Doctors the ‘D’ stands for Disease though. As far as this article is concerned then CV simply means Corona Virus as I used to title a Spoken-Word poem recording dubbed: ‘Oh CV!’ which can be listened to via the following web-link: www.soundcloud.com/ikeboatofficial/ohcv   – Of course, not the CV many known as Curriculum Vitae attached to some employment application letters.

Around the world over, in everything there is good and bad, right and wrong, or even positive and negative. Therefore, The CV Effects brings to bear both the Negative and Positive sides of this global CoViD-19 pandemic as it pictured in African perspective. Although, many lives have been lost in Europe, America and other continents than Africa, there is still need to bring readers to the CV positive and negative effects. Lo, to the curious minds, Positive in this context is not when someone is tested and he or she carries such fatal virus in the blood stream coupled with its symptoms of the body system. Aside, not negative when a person has contracted the virus. But contrary, in view of right conditions or states it has brought human-kind and made many, especially on the continent of Africa.

The Positive Ten – TPT (+10)

1. It has taught both young and old the critical need as well urgency to wash hands thoroughly with soap under running pipe-borne water or usage of ‘Veronica Bucket’. Hitherto, some proceed to eat meals without regular hand wash even after visiting nature’s call, be it public or private toilet.

2. To the religious minds, in the Christendom – It has established the possibility for the faith-oriented ones to learn to pray on their own and for themselves even to intercede for others respectively. Thus, no dependency on Pastors or Priests to pray for them in times of critical spiritual conditions as there are no social functions or gatherings such as Church service, crusades etc.

3. It has also changed peoples habitual drunkenness as some often go to secret spots, bars or even pubs at even dawn times to engage in alcoholism i.e.(Excessive in-take of alcohol). That means positively there is nose-dive of people being piss-pots in order not to affect their health status.

4. Generally, those in Africa particularly the sub-region often refrain from covering their nostril even though pollution of different forms in the atmosphere hinders respiratory process. Thus, regular usage of ‘Nose Mask’ or ‘Face Mask’ has prevented many from inhaling other poisonous substances in the atmosphere through the nose or mouth.

5. There has been decrease of over-population problems in some countries of Africa, America, Europe, Asia etc. It obvious over-population bring about other economic hardships to the human society, thus some sort of positive death effect any way.

6. To those seeking ‘greener pastures’ in some European or American countries there will be many job or work opportunities for them to travel in enhancing their human resource-based when  the whole pandemic pass away and people have freedom of movement.

7. Nowadays, there is reasonable usage of handkerchiefs and tissues to cover nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, as in times past some folks thought it was just some sort of involuntary action in life.

8. People have learnt the act of physical or social-distancing and isolation when it comes to buying and selling at public places as some form queues during customer service i.e.(Food Joints, Banking Halls and other places) which are often crowdie and congested, aside demands proper-spacing at public areas.

9. Being frugal on funeral and burial services in Ghana particularly has advantageously changed as those dead are buried quickly like the ‘Islamic way’, not kept in mortuary or morgue. Also, without mounting canopies and organizing of wake-keeping, playing music during funeral-related activities.

10. Similarly, those who spend huge-sums of money on wedding, engagement and birthday parties has changed dramatically as only twenty-five (25) people are accepted during social gatherings with regard to government directive.

The Negative Ten – TNT (-10)

              1. Obviously, the bad or negative impact of Lock-Downs on some sub-Saharan countries such as Togo, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Ivory Coast has been a bitter pill to swallow, especially those working from hand-t0-mouth on daily basis. Both, the partial and total Lock-Downs have made many remained hungry at various homes since they couldn’t reach-out to work so no means to make money for their livelihood.

             2. The death of individuals, some known relatives abroad and those popular show-biz celebrity and other professionals such as Musicians, Actors, Doctors etc. have left sad indelible marks on the minds of many as grave-yards are equaled to ancient castle-gate or door-way of  no return to life.

               3. No regular cordial forms of hand-shake salutation so some have sense of emotionalism and unseen feud of hatred being a negative sign rather than CV symptoms itself.

               4. Badly, no classroom form of education to study as schools and other corporate institutions, supermarkets, malls have generally close-down for so many months in Ghana, and other parts of the world. But, those with no knowledge about computer-related online learning or studies that means when there is possibility of examination it will be to their ‘negative’ disadvantage since they can’t fathom certain topics in the curriculum. Aside, would need professional teacher’s assistance.

               5. Some company employers have also laid-off workers, staff members and abrogated or cancelled contracts of personnel as consumers are not patronizing products and services rendered to the masses. More so, the international Airline industries as well Maritime agencies of ports and harbours are not in regular operations affecting the entire global economy.

               6. Family members and friends who have made monetary promises to send financial support to relatives in Africa are facing hard times due to uncertain Lock-Down restrictions and conditions.

               7. There have been sky-rocketing prices of products at market-places, especially sanitizer becoming mostly sought after CV preventive and protective product on the continent of Africa and beyond. Unimaginably, it has also affected some other food stuffs and products previously on little demand.

               8. The increase of pre-paid electricity unit buying, as school boys and girls supposed to be at school during classroom hours are at home watching television and using other electrical appliances to the disadvantage of parents suffering to pay other utility bills. To some parents, noise-making at home has been on higher-heights as children playing and hitting objects aimlessly keep disturbing them.

               9. Unknowingly, some government officials and those at front-line of work to ensure cure or possible healing process of the CV disease are rather making money to engage in different projects and use during political campaign rallies season. A couple of weeks, whilst at an audio recording studio at Top Hill of Kasoa, information revealed that some people with negative test of the CoViD-19 are falsely quarantined in order to ensure more donors funding support. Unhealthily, monies giving by both local and global organizations are channeled to different projects to the ‘negative’ disadvantage effect of the global Corona Virus – CV pandemic.

               10. Last not but least, some of us with other talents in the Arts performing industry are not getting events gig booking coupled with other benefits due to the negative side effect of Corona Virus – CV pandemic as there are no special social shows and programs to ensure participation or performances.

Name: Ike Boat

Location: Kasoa, Central Region Ghana, West Africa.

Email Address: ikeboatofficial@gmail.com  or ikeonmic@gmail.com

 Watching the Watchdog

Almost completely blind now, he still watches,

lies by the front screen door, doing the job he

took on years ago, being a watchdog threatening,

warning, ready to bark at anyone passing by –

children playing, people walking by with other

dogs, workmen starting up some project across

the way, of course the mailman, actually, anyone,

everyone. This is a tame neighborhood, easy to

watch, easy for him to think he controlled in some

way, a job he did for years, he must have felt that

this was his contribution, always expecting a treat

after a morning, an afternoon of watching, that’s

what a watchdog does, he watches, he warns, he

contributes. But now, almost blind and losing his

hearing this work becomes close to imaginary,

something he remembers and acts out, his mind’s

eye sees a cat out there, sees passersby, people

walking, cars driving by, hears doors opening,

doors closing, voices, whole choruses of people

and dogs and squirrels, and since he’s a watchdog

he barks, even stands sometimes, wagging his tail,

fur up, warning, threatening. I still praise him for it,

pat him on the head and stand with him pretending

that something is out there that needs our attention.

                  Nap

Yesterday my neighbor went after my nap with a chainsaw.

That impertinent tree of his, the one that leaned over his

deck promising to fall in the next windstorm, brought this on.

I can picture how he worked it; laying out the tree with a few

cuts into the truck, then the smaller limbs and branches loped

off, good for kindling I imagine, and then sawing the main part

into smaller pieces, fireplace size logs for his winter evenings,

quiet evenings for this usually quiet man. But yesterday he came

after me and my nap like a Northwest lumberjack, full of rumble

and roar. I closed the windows, I closed the blinds, but there he

was roaring and racing around the bedroom chasing my nap, a nap

I had worked up to all morning, my nap in full retreat, now being

pursued into this corner, that corner, everywhere it was supposed

to be. He kept shouting something about necessity and prerogative,

asking questions, like “aren’t you too old to be napping” or “aren’t

you too young to be napping?” There I was, Sunday afternoon, the

perfect time for napping and there he was, making Monday morningnoise. “Get up,” he said – and so I did.

                   Walks

Get up, step out, walk to the corner and back,

walk around the block, further on some days,

others less. Up and out, these walks don’t go

a friend’s house, or some store, or a workplace,

they are an end in themselves. Up, out, these

are old people’s walks, a bit of exercise, we are

told is good for us, a bit of getting up and out

around the neighborhood to see its few sights.

Up and out, away from the couch, the recliner,

away from the TV, the game shows and reruns,

the news that’s unsettling at best. We get up, step

out, they must see us go by, in a way we become

an expected part of their day, some nod, some

say a word or two, but most just watch us go by

pretending not to see us, pretending they won’t

be us in a few years, fewer years than they know

are coming. Then they’ll join us, get up, get out,

will walk to the corner, around the block, a bit

of exercise, of getting out, and an end in itself.

The Blooming Catkins

Catkins bloom everywhere by the rivers or hills

Blows soft wind and a kissing hiss

Around us all white and green

Murmuring sound of the rivers

Then what it strikes?

Brings me back from going ahead?

In this stirring mind I struggle with fire

Can’t be dissolved so easily

No attention for solving

How much the green leaves drop from the branches of the tree

Can there be any account?

It started raining

All ready to step towards home

But I?

Barred in the stormy night.

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
08/10/2019

The Love Boat

Rowing the boat it pours the rain on the body and soul

Feel soft cool breeze

Quench the thirst for blood

The world is moving

The boats from here to there all the way

The snakes swim on

I like to play with them

And see the deer running in the forest

Darkness and light reflects on the water

I walk, run and fly

On the ground or sky

I smile, cry and hug

On the journey to my dear

Let’s spread our breast together

Pressing and kissing not missing all over…..

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
09/10/2019

The Gifts of the Deaths

Though death is an unwanted gift

A darkened light to the eyes

Burning to cries

Rivers groaning and deploring over the killings

In our everyday life it has become a common sight

You see the complaints’ face in the newspapers

On the television screen or through the website

O men, young, old or child

Lying silent on the laps of the mother

In the dengue fever bed, beaten, slain or fired

Or so many others over day and night

O women, also of the same young or old

Made a journey to where nobody ever

Not to be disturbed ever and never

A place better than we can have here

What’s the meaning of life?

Beasts know better

Because they love us, guard and investigate

But not like to kill as the human hearts in such cruelties

Life is as valuable as to the moon or sun

A gift to you, to the world

A death the same to the one

Welcome to the unimaginable peaceful dawn.

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
15/10/2019

The Smiling Sunny World

It was drizzling and the sun was peeping

Glowing and flowing to the face

Brightens the whole

Grave and deep

On the waters and leaves

The blue water body of the Saint Martin

How does it reflect?

Never seen alike

You are my attire

Cover up the body

My love, the smiling sunny blue- green world.

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
17/10/2019

The Competition

Dolphins competing in the race

Fly the fins on the waters

We, the observer

Keen to enjoy the game

On the other hand here in this place

The flying fins spread the blood over head

Bleeding and taking to the den

The sound of crying and moaning

Over the torture and death

In the shade of the leafy trees

What’s the meaning of the printing pages?

What’s the result of science and technology?

If it does not sustain

The role of the tigers or lions

Trapped and controlled

What a human brain!

Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh
17/10/2019

Rotation

For Michael

Around and around the blades rotates,

Life is a series of rotations,

Four blades rotating above my bed.

My mind keeps spinning and spinning,

In the streets one by one they are killed,

For having black skin with a voice.

It is a circle of rotation like the fan,

It keeps turning and turning,

Without end into the midnight hour.

9-1-2020

No one Knew

In the hours before his death he prayed,

Listening to the wind in the winter winds,

He continued to pray in solitude.

As the thoughts about his life,

Came to him he realized that,

Life was a series of rotations.

No one knew he laid in bed,

Watching the blades of the fan,

Circling around and around,

Until the day that they stopped,

Finally, he saw the ceiling,

Covered him with all its whiteness.

9-1-2020

Seeing into the Past

            For Michelle

Past events seem so distant from me,

Black men on a ship chained together,

Being beat until their skin was raw,

Running into the bushes looking for freedom.

It was a troubling thought that came to him,

Running and running as the police cruisers,

Chase him with guns with bullets and night sticks,

It can not be in the 21^st century he was being chased.

He had escaped from the ghetto and lived in the suburbs,

He had escaped from the ship momentarily he was free.

Until, the slave owners realized he was free.

He was beat and returned the ghetto.

9-1-2020

Future of Being Free

For Eric

Did you see him run into the brushes?

As the dogs barked and chased him,

Disappearing into the night as his skin bled.

There was a trail of blood from his back,

As he kept running into the moonless night,

Knowing that he would die with his freedom.

9-1-2020

Confession III

For Bianca

My raw skin covered with scars and more scars,

As freshness of the sea covers my bloods soaked,

Skin day after day on the open skies.

In the sky ahead of me waiting for me,

Over the horizon there is a bright yellow ball,

Calling my name each day as we sailed.

It was a night without the moon’s light,

When everyone was asleep on the ship,

He slipped out of his chains heading to the sun.

STATIC ATLANTIC
Here the windows open onto sky’s grazing,
Tumbling through the landscapes with ultraviolet features
And upturned eyeballs.
Brushing the chipped shoulders of 7-day lotharios,
Barking at houses and uniting in a chorus of frayed knots.
The rosy squeals of the pig pen were never far away,
Chin deep in soapy water and mimicking the superstars of daytime television.
Showers screaming.
Can we seek the relief of 2:00am blackouts?
The wilderness in two miles of personalised number plates?
I left my head treading cathedral yards,
Pondering the value of Exe.
I never liked how broad those shoulders could be.
Another flock torn into motorway stations.
Waxing gibbous and the occasional telegraph pole
Bristling with prickled declarations,
‘Untangle all the lanes and burn the views’
NOEXIT.NOEXIT.NOBALLGAMES & salvation.
Until then we’ll peruse the wristwatches and altered states of appearance,
Asking only questions, but were we ever still alive?
20/09/2020 Exeter, Devon

SEMPER EADAM
.who in the stops of 12-19 Fore St.
Shrugged off the silvery inevitable
And the bitterness
Of the glitter box granite.
Pressed with a deadpan disdain for modern life
And JAN&KEITH4EVA.
Is this the greatest thing you’ve (n)ever scene?
(Pylon to B4) A tension within the gambit,
Shaving a min. or two from the GRN root
Until ‘The End’
Preserved itself a little differently.
Over phished clouds pass like cattle,
Brewing car stock for shovel headed storeys
And increasing the chances of reign fall.
OR in constant use.
Please advise.
11/08/2020 Welcome Street, Exeter

BAD HOMBURG ADJACENT
(…) blend ‘Blue no.5’ with screwdrivers,
It will crawl through the yards, the postcards, and heels.
Plugging holes in the carpets with its broken jawed azure,
Pondering cord progressions,
The cut ’n’ paste never (may contain salt).
From its amber lit pockets were the kwik tongues of hermits
Stitched to the din of its hot tin lining. ON SALE@public addresses.
‘Was it time to feel electric?’ – whoeveryouare
It processed the rhythms of future folklore,
Screwed another ribbon into the barking purple.
Seldomly bobbing over radio waves
And for Displaying Purposes Only.
Beyond were the fruits of circa ‘43
Ripening in the synonym: streets,
Temporarily built to last
With bottled capped receptions at the
PAYE.SLOT.CASH. Trespassers will be prosecuted.
>
>
>
>
W/duvets in the whistle stoop,
Showers in the bistros,
Tyre tracks up the backs of lonely harts,
The wrong side of a set of showroom curtains.
Trespassers will be prosecuted
So stockpile you’re remaining darlings
//bad homburgs remain adjacent
Dazzlingly nettle skinned and wandering.
Were you just as scared as I was?
20/09/2020 Exeter, Devon