Why have I not seen a glimpse of you?
Why have you not paid me a visit?
Child, Oh! My child!
Why have you made me
The laughing stock of my foes?
Why have you made me a prey to my lion ‘in-laws’
Why have you made my future uncertain?
See, mother in-law asks my beloved for a second wife, why?
Grace me with your presence
Bring an end to this perpetual absence
Now is the time to come calling!
Please my child, pay me a visit,
Short as it may be, I don’t care,
Just make an appearance,
Even if it ends up in disappearance!
Even if you leave after a while like Abiku
II.
Abiku, if you’re not going to stay
And permanently put an end to my pain;
If your stay is ephemeral
Let me cry a river, let me cry an ocean;
Don’t cross my path
Only to leave after a while
But if you’re staying
I welcome you with open arms
If you’re staying come my way
My breasts wait for your lips
I’m a beggar with choice
Crying for you to come my way
Praying for you to come and stay
Waiting for nights filled with cries
Come and end my grief
Come and stay with me
Don’t come and leave me
After a while
Abiku!
*Abiku is a Yoruba word, that refers to children who seem to always die before they reach puberty.
Written by: Psalmwell SamshizLe Enobakhare
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson
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