Kwaku Feni Adow’s Between Two Dates lingers in the space between life and death, drawing us into a quiet meditation on impermanence. His haiku observe, listen, and acknowledge the fleeting nature of our existence. His poetry is also a bridge between cultures, weaving the precision of Japanese haiku with the communal grief of Ghanaian funeral traditions.
tombstone
between two dates
the length of life
This haiku captures an entire lifetime in just a few words. Two numbers, separated by a dash, etched into stone. It is profound.
funeral dance
one man follows the lead
of liquor
This poem captures mourning in motion. The dead are still, but the living stagger through grief, both physically and emotionally.
his first appearance
in the newspaper . . .
obituary column
Such irony. A name that may never have been in print during life now finds permanence in death.
memorial candles
his place in this world
goes out
A flickering existence, now extinguished. .
Conclusion
Kwaku Feni Adow’s Between Two Dates is a quiet yet profound meditation on mortality. By blending the subtlety of Japanese haiku with the depth of Ghanaian traditions, he creates poetry that is both deeply personal and universal.
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You can read the entire book in the THF Digital Library. Please share your favorite poem from the book with us.
Essays, Art and Plays by Dan 
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