This I must cough
To say I love and
Cherish you.
When the blue cloud
Is pregnant — ready
To descend with rains
On to our fertile land
For the seeds to germinate
And grow — basis of our
Food tomorrow
Must you linger like a passenger
On transit to unknown destination
Or accept me in total
So that I am rest assured
That I have at last made
A mark with indelible pencil
The destiny is ripe and
To harvest it, is just
Too soon.
Make up and love to infinity.
Umar Bello Katagum
EDITOR’S NOTE
Originally published in Citizen on 31 Aug 1992, p. 48. This diplomatic transcription preserves the wording and lineation visible in the archived page.