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Poetry
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Bayo
Omolola
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Iroko:
King of Trees
By Bayo Omolola
Oluwere-
Chlorophoral excelsa;
Silk-cotton tree;
Father of all trees!
Maker of pretty and durable cabinets;
Creator of strong, perfect doors and carved wooden objects!
Greatest forest tree with connotations-
Tree that marches with rhythmic dancing steps.
As human kings in the palace;
Iroko commands with eye-catching crowns in the forest.
With calculation and warm embrace
That makes friendly intonation!
Its regal hands adorn artificially with palliative messages
all over the land;
The biggest voice in the forest
Oluwere, the towering forest paradise
Loved and dreaded;
Loved because of its supper energy and beauty;
Dreaded because of its heaviness
And strong voice that makes lazy trees cringe in the forest
Enigmatic structure that frightens
And throws away light and fragile trees
Iroko, the creative spirit that speaks artistic language!
The elegant face on palace doors;
The King that accepts other kings’ bows
Oluwere, Giant of the forest, Iroko;
House of aesthetics!
Roko that sounds ko-ko-ko!
“Igi ona” that answers loudly like a human being!
Decorator of homes and environs;
A tree with attractive eyes and speaking mouths;
A tree that makes sonorous artistic talks!
Heaven-sent power of the forest
That beautifies homes of great dreamers and blessed ones in
cities
Iroko, forest democracy-enthroned king!
Father of all trees!
All over, all over people search,
Looking for the greatest tree!
Iroko, come, come, come,
Come to my house and provide security!
Iroko, come, come, come to our house
Stretch your hands of decoration around
And provide energy for our living!
Iroko, come and beautify my house and compound!
Adorn and energize my sight with your strongest and decorative
wood!
Iroko, come, come
Come with your spiritual hands and friendly smile,
My hands in embrace,
Waiting for your beauty and energizing touch!
Iroko, come, come, come to our house with your royal steps!
2005 copyright: Bayo Omolola, Baltimore, MD |
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