Stories and Poems Brewed in the Shadows

By Doris Akosua Tay

Loyalty to friendship coerced him to give up on love. Love prevailed over pride. The day she saw her lover betrayed her. This is a beautiful compendium of stories of love, passion, friendship, betrayal, pain, murder, and survival. Stories are written in prose, narrative poetry and drama and set in historical and modern plots.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Doris Akosua Tay
• Release date: Oct 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9789988325145

Doris Akosua Tay

Doris Akosua Tay was fascinated with becoming a writer since high school. This spurred her to write poems and short stories including her book 'Glued to the Past' and 'Stories and Poems Brewed in the Shadows.' She was born and grew up in Tema, a beautiful city in Ghana. She is a midwife and pursuing a PhD degree in Population Studies.

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This book is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright ©2021 by Doris Akosua Tay

Cover art copyright ©2021 Canva Book Cover Maker

No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

ISBN: 978 – 9988 – 3 – 2514 – 5

Dedication

To my mother, Gladys Doku.

She taught me to read.

Contents

Preface

Raymond And Lorinda

City of Love

Twentieth February

The Rich Man and His Maid

I Still Love Him

Golda

The Sound of War

Lovers on the Hay

The Day She Saw

Zebulon Prince of Amatog

The Woods

Political Dystrophy

Adam and Linda

In April When Rain Started

The Lady in the Painting

They met at Golfwins

It’s Midnight Again

Camilla

Her Mistake

My Life is Boring

Preface

My initial writings started with poetry. I noticed I leaned towards writing stories with poetry. I found that strange though because most books I read then were prose with no poetry. Then I came across anthologies. Since then, I felt comfortable with my writing. Although the stories are not real, they base on life experiences and happenings around me and society.

‘Raymond and Lorinda’ portray how it is sometimes difficult for friends to profess love to each other. The risk of losing a friend would force someone to sacrifice his or her desire for a love relationship. Raymond decides to profess his love to Lorinda and leave fate to determine the result.

Some Shakespearean and old writings inspired ‘the rich man and his maid,’ ‘the woods,’ and ‘city of love.’ It may seem quite out of place in the modern world. However, ‘city of love’ aims to restore commitment, love and faithfulness that seem to be shaky in modern times. A prince takes for a brother his servant and friend. They mostly love the same things. This shows how emotions, desires and love are felt and expressed the same way despite societal status. Faithfulness and commitment to friendship will prevent Kweku from betraying Nhyira.

Serwaa’s predicament displays how women are burdened with making a choice of a partner both within and without. Many may either make or refuse to make a choice, but they are mostly misunderstood.

‘Twentieth February’ is a story of regret, loss, and war. Doll despised and abandoned her mother when she learnt she was a prostitute. She would look back to that incidence with regret. Left alone to face a war-torn country, she would not understand how a stranger becomes a father she never had. She would lose him also.

The remaining stories portray pain and devastation caused by war and fight for domination, politics, betrayal of lovers, deception, and fight for survival.

There was no better way to say what I thought then than to have penned them in a story and poem.

Doris Akosua Tay

RAYMOND AND LORINDA

Raymond had been sitting on aunty Dede’s stone of amour since yesterday hoping with all his heart Lorinda would appear from the blue. Lorinda was his closest friend, but Raymond had fallen in love with her, and he was hoping to tell her today. Raymond had been waiting for so long he was almost tired, but he was prepared to wait till she comes.

Raymond

The morning is bright and fair.

With the break of noon close.

Yet she keeps my soul watching.

The sun is almost setting.

Soon the breeze of night would sing.

And the birds will lie in nests.

But she is still not here.

I have been watching throughout night.

Refusing sleep all night.

Although my eyes lose its grip.

Yet her sweet face does not show up.

I am desperate for her presence.

I hanker for her company.

Yet she turns deaf ears to my call.

How long do I have to wait?

Like a woman in labour, I groan.

Hoping my baby would come soon.

Yet your sweet face is nowhere near.

My soul yearns for love.

And my spirit thirsts for the water of love.

And my heart craves for your love.

Yet you deny me this token.

You are my friend I know.

You have known me even in diapers.

When I had no idea, black differed from white.

Your beauty reminds me of the art of nature.

The art of nature with its entire splendour.

Oh, that I may be given a piece of it.

To keep in my memory forever.

If all ladies were like you.

I would have no option than to be with you all.

But none can be like you.

For like a diamond you are buried in.

A rare precious rock none can find.

Anytime I close my eyes in sleep.

In my dreams I see your face.

And such a glorious sight it is.

If any darkness should stand this beauty.

Then that darkness will be light.

If darkness could never be light,

Then none of its arrows can prevent your bliss.

Could it be that you are disappointed?

So, you left me here to my shame.

But I am not ashamed to love you.

No, I could never be.

Lorinda tiptoed slowly behind him and covered his eyes with her fingers. He tried to free himself but could not.

Raymond

The fragrance of flowers is incomparable.

To your sweet unrelenting savour.

And the warmth of the atmosphere.

Cannot compete with your presence.

You are the prettiest among bevies.

And the prettiest among roses.

All eyes desire to see you.

And mine hankers more.

If only I were given a chance.

Beyond this beautiful union.

My soul would forever be merry.

In an unending pool of love.

Lorinda my princess and only love.

If you were a dream, then,

I would never wake up from sleep.

And if you were a journey,

I would travel miles and crawl,

If my legs lose its strength.

But here you are with me.

And all I ask is acceptance.

Lorinda quickly took away her hands from his eyes and turned her face away from him. She was disappointed at his words, but he ignored her disappointment and kept on speaking.

Raymond

Anger is a feeling of the heart,

That comes in when the mind permits.

I wish I had power over my emotions.

I would never let it feel the way it does.

I have tried to suppress this for years.

For fear I would severe our friendship.

There is no way the heart can ever be deceived.

My mouth also cannot keep quiet as at first.

All day long I think about you.

Not just what I see but what I've always,

Known about you.

For your mind and heart is as a plain glass.

Having no secret faults and evils.

Please forgive me my love for this confession.

As I said I have been thinking this way for years.

Cindy always told me that one day,

I cannot hold it within anymore.

I am sorry my beloved friend if you are offended.

But I shall not apologize to my heart that it feels this way.

It is better we part.

For friendship alone would make,

My heart ache miserably.

Raymond buckled his shoes and walked away plaintively receiving no word from the lady who was so angry she did not want to see his face. Finally, she spoke when he was away.

Lorinda

If anyone did tell me that Ray,

Would fall in love with me,

I never would have believed.

He betrayed our friendship.

And he has mocked my emotions.

When I told him about Bernard,

He said that man was the son of evil.

I was glad to hear that though,

Because Bernard never existed.

And now he hides not his love from me.

My fury, I admit has no cause.

For he is guilty of nothing I must say.

Except he fell in love with me.

How I wish I could forgive him.

But for our friendship I will be adamant.

For he betrayed the oath of our pure bond.

And that I would never forget.

All day Raymond sat in his room grieving for the love of Lorinda. Nobody could comfort him, and he refused every meal he was served vowing he would taste nothing until he sees Lorinda. He lamented over his loss and rejection each opportunity he had when he was alone.

Raymond

My heart aches for love.

And my soul grieves for warmth.

How could the heat of the fire turn cold?

And how did the melon turn sour?

The beauty of the gold is gone.

And the glow of the diamond lost.

Yet no one seems to care.

If it is a crime to fall in love,

Then I am ready to face justice.

But the accuser is not here.

She is not here to present her charges.

I am as chaff in the air.

And my sense of being is dead.

Yet the rescuer refuses to see.

If I knew it would come this far,

I would never have become a friend.

For the excruciating pain of a friend in love,

Is agonizing to live with and endure.

Lorinda was my best friend.

And the only woman who made me laugh.

She is the one who understood me when all left,

And the only one who showed me love.

Tell me how I should smile,

When my smile has been snatched from my hands.

I will not have peace till you come to me,

I am as a flower whose sepals are mottled.

And my beauty no one sees.

I would stay here all day until she comes.

I would starve myself till she comes.

To profess her love for me.

Lorinda could not sleep on her bed and every attempt to take in food was futile. She was sad about something she did not understand and thoughts about Raymond made her weep.

Lorinda

I saw it in your eyes.

Yet I refused to admit.

I saw passion burn in his eyes.

And desire in his stare.

Yet I denied it terribly.

I should have known it earlier.

That those eyes were in love.

Which I mistook for friendship.

Perhaps I felt the same way.

But ignorance played its role.

I thought it was the feeling of friendship.

Oh, Ray my beloved,

How could I ever allow your soul to grieve?

For years I gave you friendship.

And today I earn your love.

I will not allow this love to slip away.

To fall into the arms of another.

For years I have nurtured this love.

Waiting patiently for a day.

When it would grow.

And yesterday it did, and I let it grieve.

Is it too late I ask?

To go for a love, I spanked.

Will you forgive me Ray?

So, our hearts would join in love.

She covered her head and neck with a scarf. She walked fast so she would arrive in time. He was also waiting for her presence. He believed she would come, and she did.

Raymond

Do I see well or is it a deception of the eyes?

For I feel a warmth of hope,

And a presence of peace.

Does she come to say yes?

Or is it that she pities me?

No, the latter is unacceptable.

But if she comes to tell her love,

Then let it be done here before my presence.

For my ears itch for her words.

And my heart is desperate for her love.

Would my lady speak her soft words?

As I calm down to listen.

Let her sweet words flow as a fountain.

And may her words cool the heart on fire.

So, it causes no destruction.

For her heart is as springs of water.

And her love makes one desire to live.

Speak my angel and may your words dig,

Out the wells of love.

Lorinda took off the scarf from her head and allowed those strands of silk black hair fall over her shoulders and back.

Lorinda

If I had any idea what love was,

Then I would say I found it first.

If I knew what love was,

Then I would not have allowed,

Any tears to fall from those passionate eyes.

For daily when you were away,

And I was left alone,

All I thought about was you.

The story about Bernard,

Was never true Raymond.

It was all about you.

I was always afraid another would take you.

Away from my hands.

This day I come to fulfil my destiny.

And my longing to be in your arms.

If I ever made you cry.

Then I come to wipe away your tears.

If I ever made you grieve.

Then I come to comfort you.

And if I ever made you cold.

Then I come to warm you.

Accept my hand of love.

And may our love ever flourish.

As the palm tree.

Raymond

Oh, my mind who ever told you not to hope.

For love is truthful.

And would never make the heart weep,

That seeks its presence.

Come my love and let us share together,

The gift that love, gives.

For many say it is beautiful.

And I testify of the little we once shared.

I knew you always did love me.

But fear gripped your tongue.

So, it would not let your words pour out.

But this day is my dream a reality.

As you have come to fulfil love,

I would now wet my tongue.

With the honey of love.

So, my spirit would ever be joyful.

Hold my hands my love and let us,

Tread on the path of love.

For this day, a monument of love,

Has been erected.

That can never be broken down.

By plain hands without love.

I saw your beauty and I was amazed,

But I have seen your love and I am dumbstruck.

For no words can describe perfect love.

Only the heart can utter such insight.

I am grateful you came.

Just in time to save me.

Lorinda

If I never came, then love would be a liar.

For I trusted in the wings of love.

And it carried me here when I had no courage.

Be strong my prince with strength.

And let love carry us to a place of tranquillity.

A place of calmness and joy.

A place where the birds sing their sweet songs.

And the springs are cold to refresh us.

Let us fly on the wings of love Ray.

And love would take us there.

Trust in the wings of love.

And it would give us rest.

Raymond

Show me those wings my dear.

And I will let myself rest on it.

Take me to where those wings are.

And I will forever trust in them.

Love is so beautiful.

And as diamonds its glow gives light.

Give me a hand my love.

And take me to those wings.

Your beauty is unfathomable.

And your heart pure as refined gold.

Until my last breath I will forever thank,

My maker for giving me such an opportunity.

For love is beautiful and sweet to share.

The price of precious stones is,

Incomparable to the worth of love.

For love is immeasurable.

And its value beyond purchase.

It is a blessing to love.

And more blessed when,

The one you love loves you back.

And this favour you have given me.

I would treasure with my heart.

For nothing can take away,

Anything the heart and mind guards.

Lorinda

I have never heard you speak this way my love.

And I have never heard such sweet words.

I am glad love brought me this far so we can,

Forever be together and share,

This gentle and mild feeling sweeps calmly;

Over my heart and mind and soul;

Could be nothing but love.

Love they say is as a drop of water.

A drop of water that fell from above.

To fill my heart and take away,

All forms of loneliness.

Its impact is as great waters.

Vanquishing every feel of thirst and dryness.

This drop was sent from above.

As an expression of the real.

It is a drop I can touch and feel.

A drop I can taste and describe.

It comes with such beauty and glow.

A glow that makes me radiant at once.

Drop of love sent from above.

Fill my heart I pray.

Until a waterfall you become.

Flowing down into streams of water.

Meandering its way along every dryness.

Until my heart says yea.

I have walked miles away from home.

And your eyes are the loveliest,

I have ever beheld on the planet.

You are handsome among many.

And the word beautiful would pass,

For you, a thousand times.

Being at your side gives me warmth.

And your presence makes me want more from life.

I want to have more of you, my love.

Not just that sweetheart,

I want to give you more of me.

My prince and undefiled love.

Embrace my love as I present from my deepest part.

I love you, Raymond.

I love you and you, alone.

And no one can take away this love,

Because our maker made this our destiny.

Give me a hand my love.

And let us walk together on the path of love.

Raymond

I would forever remember this day.

And the light that shone to make it be.

Nothing thrills my heart than this,

And nothing makes me want to smile than,

The pleasant warmth of love.

Accept this symbol of love I present,

For it sparkles with strength.

But its glow is incomparable to the finger.

That would carry it all time.

I bought this the first day I saw you.

For silently in my heart, I knew it was yours.

How lovely to know you felt the same way.

For the wind of love never carries falsity.

Arise my precious stone and wear my symbol of love.

This is just to show you how I feel.

Lorinda

Oh, heaven give ears to these words.

For the angel you sent is an angel indeed.

He is a messenger of good news I say.

For he has given warmth to a dry heart such as mine.

It is no surprise he is an angel of love.

For in his eyes glitters the beauty of life.

And in his heart shines the joy of love.

Words cannot describe the amount of joy.

He carries in his radiant wings.

The envelope of his love also is warm.

This is a pure gift sent from above.

And I will forever embrace it and walk with it.

Give me a hand my love.

And slip this precious stone on my finger.

And may my finger glow with love.

As it merges with the symbol of love.

Who would not yearn for something this beautiful?

And who would not faint at the sight of this?

I will always remember this day.

And the time this ring walked on the curves,

Of my thin fingers.

Raymond and Lorinda

Nothing is sweet as the honey of love.

And nothing is comparable to the,

Wonderful and miraculous healing it brings.

Love is glistering and sparkles as diamonds.

Love is natural and grows in the heart of man.

Love is special and comes with a special feeling.

Love is precious and dwells in the heart of royals.

Love is infinite and has no conditions.

Love is sweeter than honey in the honeycomb.

And invigorating than the breeze from the sea at night.

Love is a balm which soothes away all pain.

An ointment which heals the shuttered mind.

Love survives all storms and holds on till it is over.

Love travels faster than light and slower than the snail.

Love drills deeper to sweet waters beneath the rock.

And when it finds it, it shares love with another love.

Love is the rhythm and lyrics of music.

And the dance of the feet and body.

Love has no secrets and hideouts.

Neither is it suspicious of the other.

Love never gives up on love.

Love is faithful and never fails.

Love is complex and inexplicable.

Erupting questions in the minds of people.

Love is the drive to desire in life.

And without it, life is empty.

Love is a root of pain especially.

When love is in love with love.

Love appreciates all and denies none.

Love gives opportunities and allowances.

And forgives thousands of times.

Love is pure and flawless.

Love is real and not fiction.

Love is not jealous but trusts.

Love is not a heart breaker.

Neither is it possessive.

Love is not domineering neither is it weak.

Love is not ephemeral, but it is long lasting.

It does not fade away soon whether.

In the face of pleasantness or adversity.

Love exists for all and is to be shared by all.

Its worth is far more than precious stones.

And beauty than the finest arts.

Its value is beyond riches.

And blessings greater than possessions.

It is peaceful as still waters.

And pure as burnt gold.

Love shines in darkness and floats on water.

And as a waterfall it gives a refreshing,

Blessing and joy to life.

Hear us you who are far and near.

And remember there is nothing beautiful.

There is nothing beautiful we say,

Beautiful than the blessing and gift of love.

And together they walked on the path of love ever grateful their friendship yielded something as beautiful as this.

CITY OF LOVE

Water of love my soul sings.

Water of love my heart desires.

Come refresh my dry spirit.

And let the mind in grief laugh.

Water of love my heart sings.

Water of love my throat thirsts.

Until its drops touch my tongue,

And its wetness takes every bit of dryness away.

Water of love flow down from the fountain.

And let not the fountain cease to flow,

Until my soul is refreshed indeed.

And its love o'er shadow, my life.

Water of love do cleanse all filth.

And make me as pure as love.

For my love to attract love,

And pain I never come face to face.

Water of love is flowing through me.

And its touch so cool and warm.

It makes my throat thirst for more.

My heart could never say stop.

Water of love sent from above.

Enlighten my path I pray.

Until I find the one, I absolutely love,

Do not leave me alone in grief.

Water of love so pure and true.

Yet my heart pounds with fear.

For yes it sees something ahead,

Something ahead that makes my eyes ache.

Beauty they say, lies in the eyes of the beholder and love I say, lies in the heart it belongs to. For there is no wind that could aflame the passion of a dead man so is there no amount of water that could quench the fire of love. Like the sound of clanging cymbals, the story re-echoed itself in the ears of men. It kept re-echoing repeatedly such that many people wandered if it was just a tale or an untrue myth. If it was an untrue myth, then it was one spread by an orator who wanted to earn corn for his store or money for his house. It was so touching and heart-breaking one wished he were never there when it was told. However sad it was people's ears itched to hear anytime the orator opened