Adamu, write me not of the
chameleonic nature of Lagos
nor of its seeming a spiderweb
Not of the twin hills in Kano
and how Harmattan veils their heads with dust
Not of the River Niger, its waves
and how the sun falls across it
Not of the smell of Biafra that clung to
the Nsukka air
Write me not verses that will fill my tongue
with taste of the green grasses in Plateu
not of the Jewel in the Savannah, where you slid
out, where your umbilical code was buried
and your foreskin, too
where you first parroted ABC and Alif, Bah, Tah
Write not that, Adamu
Let your pen sway to the wind whipping Borno
Write me of Borno, Adamu
About its sub-Saharan nature
its August that is greenish
with spirogyra sprouting on uncemented walls
Its January that is brownish
Its dry season that comes
insatiable and proud like a dictator’s belly
drinking up all rivers
killing all plants
tightening the air in its fist
forcing bleaching cream on the trees
before the rainy season arrives
tying wrapper around its waist
and kicks it (dry season) out
Write me about how it now becomes a house where ghosts play hide and seek,
and spiders weave webs.
Mujahyd Ameen Lilo writes from Kano Nigeria.
Theme Picture: https://freestocktextures.com/texture/wall-moss-brick,621.html
Mujahyd is a voracious reader. His earnest magnanimousness has condensed him into an excellent, dexterous writer, by all means as he continue drinking from the seasoned writers; he shall mount to the peak soonest.
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We pray this from the Almighty! Thank you, Usman. We have queued you up… January beckons! 🙂
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For a long time. This poem written by Mujahid Ameen has beat my expectations. The piece is outstanding.
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🙂
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Poignant and socially relevant. A patriot’s reflection of his society’s dilemma.
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I agree…
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Mujahid Lilo’s ‘Borno’ is a clear indication that the young, aspiring poet has moved on from been a versifier to a prospective poet with a lot of bright makings in the future. He has wittingly painted a picture of how the north western Nigeria is deprived of its peace despite the abundance of both human and natural resources found in the enclave… Continue the good work boy!
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He sure will, I am sure. And only time will crown his worth as he continues to work more. Thanks for this.
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Seems i have proclivity towards this bard.
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Thanks all for the kind words. Stay blessed.
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an impressive piece! Indeed, & a heartouching may nigeria in general be healed.
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My brother, this is indubitably impeccable. I love it. Continue doing good.
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