your body is a thousand fires that lustful eyes worship
and my tongue is a child in awe of danger —
reaching out, pulling back;
seeking the sultry delights of the chevron of your golden thighs
that gleam against brown sheets like the Abeokuta sunrise
I still hold the taste of you from the last time
on my tongue like an unspoken promise
my hands reeked of the fufu you made for lunch
with love in your heart; Ayinke, do you still think of me?
each day my hands learned your body anew
like an overeager cadet and his obsequious salute
at dawn while Iya Ibeji’s cockerel calls to the pigeon —
one early bird to another; my hands roam the mountain of your buttocks
inspecting every inch like a blind man on a treasure hunt
isn’t a madman’s fortune the well-conceived deed of time?
yesterday’s regal attires are now rags that clothe him
tell olowo Oke-Ilewo that wealth is a fickle whore
today he lays in her bosom, tomorrow another will
does he know that his second wife’s lover is also here in these dungeons?
accoutred in bitterness and brandishing nudity like a weapon
he spews curses he conceived in the dead of night
behind these bars, I have watched thirty and one sunrises
each dawn’s tantalizing song of freedom scorns me at dusk
and each dusk brings with it the bittersweet memories
of your earthy smell after a hard day’s toil
what saner insanity is there in this place of horror —
than solacing in a love lost in perpetuity?
so for all that we were, Ayinke, tell me:
do you still think of all we could have been?
Here’s a few things you might need to know!
1. Abeokuta – is a town in Ogun State, Nigeria, renowned for its many brown roof houses and, of course, the Olumo Rock
2. Fufu – is a staple food, common in many countries in Africa. It is often made with cassava and green Plantain Flour. Its smell lingers on the hand long after it has been eaten.
3. Iya Ìbejì – Mother of twins.
4 . olówó – a rich person
5. Òkè-Ilewo – a place in Abeokuta used fictitiously here, of course
6. Olówó Òkè-Ilewo – the rich man of Òkè-Ilewo
7. Ayinke – a female Yorùbá name.
Here’s two things you should also know:
1. I’m in search of a shorter blog address. thebrownroofcitywordsmith.wordpress.com is quite long. If you have any suggestions, please say something in the comment section, I’ll be most grateful.
2. If you love this poem, or any of my other poems anyway, please share with somebody. They might love it too!
Okay, three things. 😊
3. Subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the box at bottom of the blog, guys! Never miss a post! ❤
Nice one..
Pls check me out. Would LOVE THAT
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You’re poems are lovely. I’m still yet to read iya wande I’ve heard tales about it .
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Thank you Christopher 😀 Send me a message on IG maybe we can work sth out concerning Iya Wande
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Wow. Enjoyed reading it. Amazing
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Deep!
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Beautiful
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Nice one Alani
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This is a beautiful piece. The idea that I can read it and attach multiple meanings is very appealing. 👏👏👏👏 WTA def has great minds!!!!
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Thank you 🙏 I’m glad you liked it. ✊
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