IFEOLUWA

We grew up together in this neighbourhood

Loved each other more than any two could

I called her Ifem, she called me Nkem

Our love was firm, she was a rare gem

We took every measure, withstood every pressure

Did all we could to safeguard our treasure

Enemies assailed us, but we knew what was at stake

Not a few thought I was making a big mistake

The fact that I was Igbo and she was Yoruba

Did not stop us from going to Calabar

Right there in the heart of Obudu

With hearts full of joy and elated mood

We renewed our promises to each other

To be together forever

In terms of beauty, she was a goddess

Literally speaking, she was a princess

With a slender build and an exquisite physique

A charming face and voice like waterside music

She sets my heart ablaze

And makes other men to craze

My love for her was unquantifiable

Her love for me was indescribable

With her spectacular smile and gentle touch

She tells me over and over again,”I love you very much”

The words of the priest brought me back to reality 

“Let us pray for our sister, Ifeoluwa, who has departed for eternity”

There she lay in the casket, in her marigold gown

With a smile she enters a new dawn

Across her breast a rose lay

My gift to her on Valentine’s Day

She was hit by a stray bullet on her way to my house

I ran to the scene and saw a gaping wound in her blouse

On our way to the hospital, I was imploring her to stay

But she has been badly wounded and was slowly going away

Her last words will forever burn in my heart like a torch

“Nkem,” she mumbled,” I love you…So much”                                           

© Kelvin Alaneme, 2009. Follow on Twitter @dr_alams.