By Yero Jallow
Faced with bread shortage in Banjul (Courtesy of Foroyaa, April 2014), I was reminded of the late Master H.I. Jagne’s master poem, “Inflation Has Hit Dogland,” from his book, “The River Gambia.” The poem discusses “inflation” hitting the nation which resulted to humans competing with dogs in bones. Going by media reports on bread shortage, notably the Foroyaa newspaper, it is conclusive to say that Master Jagne’s poem has interpreted itself to Gambians.
Whatever the causes of the bread shortage are, we cannot exclude the pseudo Government’s false hope and empty promises. The next time you hear any political fool talking about ‘food sufficiency’ or ‘back to the land’ in Banjul, be sure to tell them the truth. Slavery in the form of human labor exploitation is against peoples’ will and it is wrong. Look guys; break loose from just being filled with mere rhetoric like bottles being filled with poisonous substance, accepting whatever it is, without the will to choose what to absorb and what not to absorb. After 39 years of nationhood, we are not even beyond bread shortage, a very basic food commodity. How then do you expect the Gambia to be the next Singapore as the false dreamers masquerading themselves in the presidency wants us to believe?
Oh well, I am not writing to convince any bystander or even some mortgaged personality over what this administration means to the very people it says it represents. Neutrality, ehhh? Just follow your heart and true conscience. The next time that it hits you or your immediate family member, be rest assured I will hear from you online, at the baby naming, party place or at the mosque. I will respond to you,” I don’t want to hear it now” and you know I mean it. Food for thought and please read …
A Poem: Inflation Has Hit Dogland
By H.I.Jagne
Women can’t choose meat without bone
Cause hotels have their choice first
Steak is way out of their reach!
Women fight to buy meat and bone
But end up buying only bones
And bones becomes their meat
If women have to eat bones
What then will dogs eat?
Inflation has hit dogland
Dogs will soon eat sand.
Source: The River Gambia