I went back to our converging point
Under the wilting leaves of the old fig tree
Enthusiasm from kids as they run across barefooted
Same old dusty wood smell and unclear vision of its smoke.
The sunset has never been brighter
The landscape never been better
The road down the high mountain of my first real bruises
Where we held our pretend parties
A bottle of whiskey made from the waterfall
Our biggest challenge was who got home first.
I once had a muse about us when I went back home
Hunting for meal after a meal, barbeque from a mollusc
Delicacies were never about the taste, but the sight of each and everyone sharing
Foods at home taste way better, but who would understand except us?
I walked past the village head’s house where we camped at sunset
Papa Égúnjobí’s chair stays like always but this time without him
These kids will probably never hear of the famous kebú kebú kebúyerì
The one who picks his teeth with pestle and his laugh like a thunderstorm.
I rode down to the stream on my kèké like we used to
Only a little bit modified with two tyres and my feet off the ground
The nature swimming pool still stands and gives joy to those who visit
The heart I drew on the rock with Àsàké when we kissed still stands.
I went back to the “us” that lived with zero concern of what tomorrow holds
As long as Àjàdí Jálèkùn was there to keep the bullies away and Àjìún to cook our games
I went back to the kids that lived these memories
I went back to the kids who became men.
Note: kèké means anything that can move. Kids make a moving object made from twirling of wires while they run with it. Modified kèké could be a bicycle, tricycle and the likes.
Poem by Ekundayo Oluwatosin Timothy
Ekundayo Oluwatosin Timothy is a middle born child of a family of five. He hails from Otan Aiyegbaju, Osun state. He spent all his life so far in Ibadan, Oyo state where He’s currently an undergraduate student of the department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan. He’s a science student with a passion for artistic brilliance.
He has featured in his hall of residence magazine publication for the year 2018/2019 session. He writes majorly on realities that bind the existence of an average Nigerian introvert. He’s quite a man of few words and sarcastic.