● For Prof Wole Soyinka @90
Let the Pots clang
Strike the Calabashes
Let’s wave our Shekere
And dance to the Forest
Baba is 90 today!
Let Mortar kiss the Pestle
As Sticks embrace Drums
Let’s dance to his Music of a thousand Words
Let Poetic Purgation marry Dramatic Dance
To Ake, we go We take the gyration to Ijegba
We, women, wait to celebrate the Hunter’s Kill
We wait at his Amphitheater in Egba
Gele round our Waists
Our ankle Beads are eager to dance
We await the Hunter’s Game at 90
In the forest of Life, of Trees, of Words
His grey Hair mirrors his great Exploits
His strong Stance explains his warrior’s Frame
Kongi is 90 today!
We celebrate with fine Wine
The metaphors that herald his fine Lines
Dance … Dance …Dance
Let’s dance to the Rhythm of his Muse
Like Sprites fashioned by Ogun’s Son
Who in spite of Nietzsche
Thunders against storms
Of shady Regimes, of Injustice
Your Words vibrate against corrupt Practices
Drawing us to the Forest
Clanging our Pots
Shaking our Shekere
Rolling our Waists
Stamping our Feet
We take the celebration to the Forest,
Your Forest, not of a thousand Daemons
But of a thousand Words
