(for Stephen Arnold in whose Alberta (Canada) home and with whose timeless inspiration this poem was composed in the early hours of November 18, 1988)
Once upon a long and crazy time
In a town of tall tales and short tempers
A quarrel there was that split
The people into two aggressive camps
A needless quarrel between
The Pestle and the Mortar
A feast loomed delicious behind the moon
With thunderous drumming and vigorous dancing
That hailed closer home the harvest season
Time to swing and sway like the lucky ones
That care forgot, and drink to the dregs
The wine which came straight down
From pampered palm trees whose leaves
Rocked to the gleeful wind
A feast loomed delicious behind the moon
The mountain heard and told the river
The swallow heard and told the sparrow
The forest knew no sweeter tale
To share among the trees. The mantis
Rubbed both hands in prayerful intent
The season called cassava
Cassava was far too deep in fermented slumber
The season called the guinea corn
The guinea corn’s head was a run of red riot
The season stretched out its hand to corn
Corn swatted all attention with its browning tassel
Who then was left in the roll of honour if not Yam
Aaah, Yam
Eleyin tu tu tu
Ebora abe ewe
Anjonu inu ebe
Aramonda, oyin l’ona ofun*
——
Delicious like an egg
The godlet beneath the leaves
Spirit inside the mound
Wonder of wonders, honey along the gullet
(To be continued…..)