The archive
Love’s promise
Aisha, my Aisha,
What a beautiful name.
Aisha, promise me,
That no one but me alone.
Aisha, if you mean it,
I will remain happy in life.
Aisha, please keep your words,.
So as to shy the onlookers’ imagination,
Aisha, your smile of favour,
Keeps me busy doing my business
confidence.
Aisha, your snail movement,
Keeps me watching all the day.
Aisha, your natural quality,
Makes us compete for your hands in
marriage.
Aisha, a thing of beauty,
They say is joy forever.
Aisha he whom Allah trusts,
Let him mind his business with
courage.
Aisha, we are products of our parents’ legacies,
So, let us stay in love forever.
Aisha if Allah is one,
Then Isah promise, for better for
worse.
Aisha I have nothing to say,
Our enemies Ignore the justice of
Allah.
Isah Saleh Ajingi · 1992
EDITOR’S NOTE
Originally published in Citizen on 23 November 1992, p. 40. This diplomatic transcription preserves the wording and lineation verified against the archived page.