Songs of Anisha
“Childhood Song,”
by Olatunji Ololade
It is a luxury that knows no blight
The innocence of the weaning years
When the soul knows no pain
And the heart is free from pain
I remember the two great gourds
From which I nourished like a sot
And what strident shrieks greeted my infirm steps
Into a weary world!
It was in those days when papa was a god
And mama was an angel
When heaven was sneaking to Iya Legun’s eko and gbure
While Alhaja keeps the flies away from our rice
I remember Christmas in Itoku
When Iya Oni gaari could see us
Those were the better days
Papa is still a god
Mama is still an angel
Will memories of yesterday
Comfort the reality of today?
Iya Legun won’t rise from her slumber
Iya Oni gaari still gropes in the dark
I remember the better days
I long for the hood of (a) child.
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