AGBADO Sweet AgbadoLoveliest fruit of the rainy seasonStrictly loved by young and oldThe joys of southernersThe happiness of northerners. Come a field of CornHow often do I love to see you comeThe green, oblong leavesArranged oppositelyAre all inviting features. Some love it boiledOthers prefer it toastedOnly one for pennyYoung and old surge round the sellersLet’s […]
A SONG FOR ARO I okro of mine i plantmy maize in the farm bloomsgoat of Aro the okro eatswith maize Aro’s ewe its hunger slakes.ask him me what i do wrong! II goat that visits Arocommutes with the gulletsheep that knocks Aro’s doorthe vanishing trick elects. III Aro,husband of the townthe towncrier’s terrorshooed behind, […]
OMO-TUNTUN (NEW BORN BABY) Here I comeInto this worldA strangerThe mystery of this placeI know notThe sweetness and bitternessTo me are newOh! ‘Olodumare’, I prayFor protection, throughThis vast oceanIn search of progress and greatness ’Sanmi-Ebora Ogunjobi EDITOR’S NOTE Source: Archiving (Nigeria Magazine, Sunday, March 1, 1970).
ALL LENGTH IS TORTURE I began without seeking to findEase comfort and worldly pleasuresBut when they come by measuresI began to revel with an easy mindIn what greed and avarice unbindTo let loose what my yearnings bred.I had hoped in vain to treadA true path and mind the slopeBut vanity and worldliness flanged my scopeAnd […]
PRESCRIPTION The fire which sizzled the haze of myth, burns thelegendBurns the prided palm: which taps the wine oftraditionThe enemy of our history. The fire which carpeted this land, on the leasing of herfreeholdDestroys the nursing womb: which breeds heryoungA land faded from the past. The bullet which shattered the range of her long historyTriggers […]
EYELASHES (for Lovett) All around I see the faces of Eveadorned to the craft of the artist.I see them put on smiles and cullout eyes like watersnails, lookingnot at faces but on the ground as ifto say “We want to go unnoticed”yet wanting to be noticed.I screen through these faces and lookbeyond the craft of […]
THE TALKING DRUMMER From your shoulder hangsThe magic that talks the talesAnd sings the tonic solfaA cylinder with delicate animal skinOf distinguished fashionThat makes the double faceAnd well treated leather stringsThat clothe the carved woodThe expert hand holdsThe cornered cudgel of flatButton top that torturesThe drum to talk the talesAnd sings the do-re-meAnd to aid, […]
SAY IT LOUD — I LOVE ADIRE The cheapest and most durableFascinating and ConspicuousTypically designed for us locallySay it Loud — I love Adire.Locally made in the tropicsFor the use of tropical peopleWhose vast majority lives in the tropicsSay it loud — I’m black with AdireDifferent styles could be cutLike it Kampala prefer it ija-OreLove […]
HYMN TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF BENIN Hail renowned City, who with deed surpassed allSo countless warriors defeated, before the City to fallAmidst Afric race, fearless heroes produceIn every combat, shame to opponents reduceStill envied remains, but to the glory of pastPound still are gods, who lots of battle forecastTried shameless ruin, changing times of […]
MOTIVE the doors are open all dayyou may climb in at nightthrough the window whenthe night-watch is asleep you may walk in by the doorat noon when the shopkeeperis smiling to customers andplain-clothes watch your moves the doors are open all dayand whether you enter at nightthrough the window or by the doorat noon you […]