Celebration of Life

I stumbled on a poem I wrote for one of the cultural ceremonies (African Night) during my PG studies. I just realised it’s been a while I wrote a line of poetry. I must confess it’s tough doing this part of creative writing. A couple of writer-friends have confirmed that. Nonetheless, I decided to post this poetry (the edited version) titled “Celebration of Life”. Hope it doesn’t read too tawdry ;-)

Celebration of Life
by Adewale Ajani

Greetings from the land of the Nubia
Home of the black, bold and beautiful
The cradle of life, poise and splendour
Where valiance and zeal reign supreme
Conquering all odds and disenchantment

The heat ‘though like a second skin
Warms up our ardent generous hearts
Fortifying the bonds of brotherliness
Healing the pains and gashes of history
Ushering in life, hope and rejuvenation

From the affluent beds of the Gold Coast
To the chilly pinnacles of the Kilimanjaro
From the alluring thrones of the Pharaohs
To the famous caverns of the heroic Zulus
Echoes this grand song celebrating our pride

Memorable and notable is our heritage
As you savour the grandest of all continents
A people of colour, elegance and history
Welcome to the oasis and dynasty of verve
Welcome to the “Celebration of Life”!

Confessions on a Restroom Floor

Weird as it may seem, I always look forward
To an opportunity of visiting my restroom
Not only to answer nature’s ineluctable call
But to wassail the short privacy and secrecy
Availed me by none but Artemis* herself

Strange are the things I do and cerebrate
As I ticklishly and relievably counterpoise
On the rim of the majestically white throne
To refreshingly eliminate from my bowels
Spin-offs from the process of digestion

Stupefying are the thoughts and cognitions
That vivaciously gush through my intellect
“Eureka!” my mind involuntarily exclaims
As I discover long-searched-for resolutions
To erstwhile intricate daunting life’s issues

These unacknowledged life’s time-outs
Are always cherished and fully optimised
As I bizarrely sojourn in my restroom
With books, scripts, newspapers and all
That ordinarily don’t get my attention

* Artemis is the Greek goddess of nature

Adewale Ajani
© AMA JANUARY 2006

The First Time...

So beauteous the sight
Yet so cold the touch
So awesome the feeling
Seeing it the first time

Heard so much about it
Seen pictures of its immaculacy
But nothing can be exhilarating
Touching it the first time

Stepping into it I dread
Yet the longing is irresistible
Inadequate a handful is
Holding it the first time

Boldly I embrace its fall
‘Never seems to suffice you
When you experience the snow
Falling on you the first time

Adewale Ajani
© AMA December 2005