In the still of the night with no one on the street the hollow sound tap tap tap tap tap tap tap keeps me pacing on my feet. The boom is on time without skipping a beat. Who could be drumming at this hour, with no power and in this heat!? The rhythm speeds up so loud and obnoxious can anyone else hear this? The drummer beats til morning. I am tempted to hunt him down and give him a warning.

My sister my sister did you hear the drum beat?

My brother my brother did you hear the drum beat?

I gaze into the stars while rocking my pikinini no drums tonight so far haven’t heard any. I look forward to my slumber this evening, baby is down she’s no longer crying from teething. The sound of rain drops in the distance means sleep is near and my body can’t resist it. I close my eyes ever so slightly and like a shot in the dark the drum beats are back this time they’re frightening. He beats his drum til morning I have already given him three warnings.

My sister my sister did you hear the drum beat?

My brother my brother did you hear the drum beat?

I lit a fire tonight we had dinner by candle light. We cooked our banana and rice added chicken and bully and had enough to go round, we all got to serve twice. I investigate the drumming saga no one wants to give me an honest answer. I asked my uncle who is this drummer is he your friend the one you call brother? I asked my nephew who is this drummer is he your class mate who lives with his mother? I asked my cousin who is this drummer is he your friend the one who sells daka? I asked my husband who is this drummer is he your workmate the one from Buka? We sat in silence listening intently all we could hear is the wind cooling us gently. Here we are waiting for the drum beat. So ironic because any other night I would just want to sleep. We waited and anticipated the rhythm is usually loud and bold by now but my drummer has lost interest somehow.

My sister my sister did you hear the drum beat?

My brother my brother did you hear the drum beat?

Tonight a thunderous clap came crashing and banging like a shrill or cry you could hear from the hill tops. I ran to the road “ Oh no it’s the drummer he’s back make him stop!” His forceful beating is neither harmonious or fleeting. He’s fast and he’s quick and he’s drumming with a stick. Am I the only one who can hear this? My sister my sister who is she there with? The skies open up and let down a shower. It drowns out the sound giving the drummer more power. The rain drops drown out the crying. The sound pounds down on the roof top when will this abuse stop.

My sister my sister did you feel the drum beat?

My sister my sister if only I could save you… you’d still have a heart beat?