And dreamt of far away.
I played with the sand,
Then I built a sand castle
And the thought of my sweet home came to me.
Tick! Tock!! Time ticks away
As the sun shines, shy.
I saw the moon –
Beaming with a smile,
Days of the week end in a slide.
With birds chirping,
And insects swishing.
The yearning for tomorrow – so high,
Shadows of my home
And the voices of my people get to me.
Here I’m today,
Ready to continue my sojourn.
In my sweet dream,
I was so close….
So close to my sweet home,
Where I’ll dance to the melodious tune of òkanga*
In my flowing agbada*
And settle for a plate of eeya*
and èpe-papara*.
And echoes of moonlight tales….
‘Titin gori… A’dum bere*’will fill my ears.
Oh! I’ve been dreaming awake!
O My sweet home, when shall I set my eyes on you?
My native land, when shall I catch a glimpse of you?
My Ebira Land, I shall never forget you!
*Òkanga – drum
*Agbada – a flowing gown
*Eeya – pounded yam
*èpe papara – melon soup.
*’Titin gori’…. A’dum bere’ – a phrase for introducing moonlight tales.
(All explained words in EBIRA language, spoken in Kogi State of Nigeria.)
Written by: Muhammad Oyereyí Ahmad
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
Fresh, nicee
Thanks
Our home is the place we began and where our dreams and journeys began. Always will stay in our heart. Thank you for the amazing poetry.
Yes…I love home.
Every word in the poem tastes in my mouth like a soup whose delicacy is at its supremacy….very much like Bassy Ikpi’s “Homeward.” And Eloosunde’s Home.”Poetry, you’re indeed the cozy words from the mouth of our dear God.
Thanks for reading Sir