(A Child’s Telling)
The village slept beneath the frosty moon,
But I awoke much earlier than noon.
A secret smell of spices filled the air,
A call to join a magic I could share.
I tiptoed past the kitchen, keen to see
The mystery of what this day would be.
A bubbling pot of promise,deep and grand,
Was stirred by my dear Mama’s careful hand.
Then Mama Ade, with laughter in her eyes,
Gave me a treasure,hot and crisp and wise.
A golden akara,wrapped in leaf so green,
The finest little snack I’d ever seen.
The drums began to boom across the land,
A thrilling,deep, and mighty sound so grand.
They pulled us to the square with steady beat,
And set the rhythm for our dancing feet.
The feast was laid with joy on every plate,
We ate and celebrated,late and late.
Then sleepy,’neath the stars so soft and deep,
I held the magic as I fell asleep.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
