The archive Where are the ancestors? the gods? Poem by Bakong Obi · 1983 Wake up from your dreams, your tombs.Gather your shambas, your spears and guns,the tribe is sick, it must be cleansed.Else we perish with the mounting tideof modernization. Awake, all youths, from your slumbers!Shake off the clutches of your parents,Wipe away the […]
The archive My Love Poem by Chike C. Aniakor · 1981 I shall kneelbefore these two moonswrapped in your neckerchief,Giant mounds awaitingnature’s harvest.I shall tug your waistline –for favourwhen your applesbegin to fallat the rustleof the first leaves. Chike C. Aniakor EDITOR’S NOTE Originally published in Nigeria Magazine on 01 Jan 1981, p. 122. This […]
The archive Our Neighbours Poem by Emmanuel O.O. Amali · 1987 Our neighbours on the other sideMust have industries for baking eggsEvery day at this hourOur atmosphere is riddled with sweet airOf what you do not see but feel its distant presenceThat compels you to loose your wanting salivaFrom the glands to your wanting throatIf […]
The archive Abiku [Smothering the expiring stench…] Poem by "’Funmi Joshua" · 1974 Smothering the expiring stench,The failing breath of a dying one. Alloy with powdered roots and barks, my breathSo it does not cease but cling to lifeAs now I fear to die.Buy olonde, strong igbadiTie me down the roots of life.I have come […]
The archive Ode to Puberty Poem by Solomon Ayagere · 1981 Yesterday’s child has come of ageSoon she will danceThe dance of chastity Yesterday’s child has come of ageHer stream of wasteBetrays her naivety Yesterday’s child has come of ageSoon she will doThe dance of the calabash The thin membrance of the calabashBursts on the […]
The archive Poisoned Darts Poem by T. C. Nwosu · 1981 Hush me into your reverenceO stillness from the bushespoisoned darts with warmblack eyes arespringing againstthe leaping armsof turreted cars the birds are singingtheir hollow notesthe diamond-eyes arrow the sky and prayers hailthe showers of pea-sizedstones the heaving throat is parchedwith fearin the ice-cold goblet […]
The archive TODAY IS THE DAY Poem by Esiri Dafiewhare V · 1984 chants have been offered at first cock-crowthe kola lobeshave been baptisedby the fisty fingers of the high priestbut who,who will oil the soilwith libation oaths of a new dawn,who? today is the daychants have been offered at second cock-crowthe ceremonial oren*have been […]
The archive Mine and Yours Poem by Victor C. Amadi · 1980 This wealthy womanThat lives by the waterBut baths her kids with spit. This great warriorWho laughs at the worstBut dies with fear for the bad. This struggling manWith no time to wasteYet, consults vanity for advice. This great cheetahwith great speedBut crawls with […]
The archive ORIKI ILE BABA WA (Praise Poetry for Alhaji Mustapha Onanuga) Poem by Traditional / Onanuga Family · 2006 Omo alarala ogbadamugbadamu,Omo ajoroba biro,Omo iko mu ole, ele wo, ko wo peren, onirun a mu,Omo sukusaya re ko fi esuru gbadi,Konde s’ayo re, ko fi ijara gbadi,Omo aro bi ekeOmo eleyinkule AdegbureOmo elese sesese […]
The archive Love Is A vine That Grows Into Our Hearts Poem by Anonymous · 2003 A part of us remains where ever we have been.A smile is nearly always inspired by another smile.Love dictates, but a kiss writes the secrets of the heart.Love is a sudden revelation: a kiss is always a discovery.Man loves […]