Lagos Slums

Chartless mongrel,

rejoicing within

glades of famished aura,

poised amidst

a yam festival

on delicate stiletto,

perched on rivulets

roaring to nowhere.

Chant of the Rhapsodist

Give me the arrogant tuber

that transfigures in a twinkle,

let maidens pound in sweat and song,

and bossoms heave to grind the paste.

Rid the barns of cornheads today,

let the damsels fashion the magic,

for us to reap the finest lump

of sweet and savoury eko...

It is Jisafe's feast.

Drums beat...

He takes his tenth wife,

Jisafe, man of valour,

Lord of townships, Pride of homesteads,

Raging elephant, roving solely

conquering the forest,

as foes tremble,

and foes crumble.

Give me rich sediments,

Prime sediments,

Those settlers

at the keg's basement.

Tailpieces of

Palmwine

fermented with siesta.

Only the best befits

the stalwarts' fiesta.

Jisafe,

Slayer of tigers,

Whose might silences

the roar of lions,

whose face bears tattoos

- a feat not feebly done

by listless hands  -

His exploits with

demons in hundreds

are verses for fables.

Jisafe,

Radiance of manhood!

When he bathes in the stream

price of crude soap rises,

and maidens tumble

in the river of elan,

offering their hands,

offering their soap

to him in desire's hunger

for a smile...

or a word.

Jisafe the great,

So chivalrous

he turns the romance of concubines

into the passion of princes.

So chivalrous

you ponder and wonder

if he hungers for women.

Jisafe, Lord of a harem

filled with nine.

Jisafe...Conqueror

who comes from the lineage

of valiant hunters,

lavishes cowries that stretch your wonder:

Has he a mint

hidden within

his ample

Homestead?

Give me vegetables...

Those green hosts,

dancers in dainty steps

with mashed melon

on canvas of flaming cauldron;

Royal leaves richly anointed

with red palm oil,

like choice offertory

on a deity's altar.

Vegetable sauces wait nervously...

Hail the royal wedding

with pounded yam

the king of dishes,

Prime imagery

of the charmed rhapsodist...

I chant this Rara