ASAR ALKEBULAN (Uncle ASAR) is an American(ized) African expatriate to West Africa and is a poet, philosopher, storyteller, essayist, lyricist and resolute Pan-Africanist.
I’m on my way to Ogba
For Augusta, my angel in the dark . . .
From lekki to Obalende, ‘hundred naira transport pay
Im on my way to Ogba, say, for Ogba, on my way
1st roundabout dey enta bus, no wahala I dey trust
I’m on my way to Ogba, say, di rain come, mek I rush
Reach Obalende, disembark, for Ogba dey come down
Na busy-busy dis bus park, plenty people all around
I waka-waka, ask for bus, for Ogba on my way
300 naira bi di cost, 250 yesterday
One seat, na der, for yellow bus, next to the sliding door
Oya Driver! mek we dey go, wetin you waiting for?
I’m on my way to Ogba, say, for Ogba I dey go
Who bi dis fine-fine Sisi there, her name I want to know
She dey there now, in front of me, her profile catch my eye
Her lips are full, her face is fine, I tink dat I go die
The sliding door, E no fit well, di rain, inside, dey come
di water splash on she and me, no vex, we smile one-one
I’m on my way to Ogba, na dis pretty girl I see
My tongue is tied, my dress am wet, wan talk, but cannot speak
So I sit there, in silence O, this beautiful girl, na she
Don mek me mumu, dis grown man, na so her power bi
Three hour ride, for Ogba reach, di rain mek am go slow
Come down, I dey stand for di ground, first time dis place naw’ O!
“My Sista, beg u,” I dey say, “no know which way from here”
She take my hand, dey rescue me, Sisi, she get no fear
Na warrior, bi dis small girl, I follow where she dey lead
My courage come, I chat her some, she give number to me
I enta tryke, Sisi dey tell the driver where I go
We share a smile and I dey say, “Sisi, I thank you O!”
I reach di place, am safe and sound, my phone vibrates and rings
Ah-ah! Na she, di worrior girl, I pik and say “Sisi?”
She dey wan know, I don arrive, I say, “wit thanks to you”
“Without your help, I’d still be lost, abi, Sisi, na true?”
Wetin d reason I meet her, jor? No know, E don pass me
So strong and sweet, so fine is she, na dis small girl, Sisi
She get my heart from that day start, clear sky now, it was grey
I love you O, Sisi you know, for Ogba, on my way
– End –
You my Sisi, abi?
For Augusta, my Sisi . . .
You my Sisi, abi?
Na you, di girl for my dream
You photo, dey craze me
For you eyes, I don drown, Chi
Dis Igbo girl O, na she
Fine sista, na so, too sweet
Wetin she dey do, dey catch me
I dey follow-follow, like zombie
Sisi body, dey mek me weak
Young, fit, slim, na petite
Oya! chai! ye pari’!
Yansh sef dey walk-talk, dey greet me
My heart thump-thump, dey beat
I go love you, ‘ever-‘ever, happy
Talk am, abeg O, talk am for me
Talk am, say, You my Sisi, abi?
– End –
Asar Alkebulan - Poetry Feature,
