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Poetry: JABDARII









HOW CAN I EXPLAIN THE JOY OF
our first meeting to one whose
feet have not touched the soft grass
of the dry savannah?
Laila your name on my lips
Bids the harshest of Harmattans 
on my cool skin goodbye
Like the magic of warm liquids
over the cough-strained voice
In a child's throat
Laila will you unwrap your hijab for me
like a rose unfurling its scarlet petals
to catch the rays of the morning sun
After a long lonely night?
I am a man of many travels
And a thousand flowers 
My eyes have beheld
But none like my Jabdarii
Your rebuff is like a knife to my gut
What seeks your heart in a man?
I may not be the Sultan but I have cows and fields
Nor an Alhaji but I'm pious
Laila, Laila
Your hennaed hands call to me
In my night visions
Laila is the tauraro arewa
that guides me back home

Comments

  1. Wow. I absolutely love this, Seun. I tried closing my eyes visualising the subject in my mind; the henna, the hijab along with the love-starved soul.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm really glad you liked it! Thank you and don't forget to share... <3

    ReplyDelete

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