POETRY

Roland Cho Nkwah
PANACEA ON GOING TO CHINA

When going to china, think twice, my brother
It is not that you shouldn’t go
It is that you shouldn’t suffer like I did

When going to China, get ready, my sister
It is not that you shouldn’t go
It is that you shouldn’t cry, like they did

When going to china, double your readiness
It is not that you shouldn’t dream
It is that you shouldn’t dream too big

When going to China, make sure you can
It is not like I’m saying you can’t
It is that you need more than just that Paper

When going to China, roll your sleeves
It’s not like I’m scaring you
It is that you will find they aren’t lazy

When going to China, make no promises
It is not that you shouldn’t at all
It is that you should get there and take the pulse first

When going to China, be ready to change
It is not that you will be changed
It is that you will find change necessary

When going to China, get your patience in tact
It is not that you will be puked on
It is that you will find same rules so different

When going to China, leave other options open
You need not a short time to adjust
You need a long time trying to adapt

When going to China, be a good learner
I don’t mean that you will be in a school
I mean that you will find much to learn

When going to China, don’t carry your best friends
I don’t mean that you forget them
I’m saying that you will find many to befriend

When going to China, be able to teach English
You will find lots of openings, but
If you are Black, also expect lots of hassle

When going to China, go with a smile
For, smiles you will enjoy
But, some smiles will end joy

When going to China, expect anything anytime
For, anyone can be everyone and anything
And things could end abruptly, like this poem!