Lekeleke

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Lekele

Bamileke

Eye adaba

Bamileke

The white cattle egret

You were the song in my childish heart

That made my unbridled lips to sing

And my weak hands to swing hastily through the wind

I leaped so high at your sight

Ran all length of wild fields

Eagerly following your trail

I had been told by my brothers

That you the dove is the bird of God

The bearer of divine wisdom

Around whose claws clustered the fate of men

And each time you left a white spot in my fingers

The smiles of thanks never left my mouth

Though ignorance was weakened with years

My mind toughened with knowledge

And my heart has learnt the ways of the elders

The egret remains a bird of bigger symbol

A being of deeper meaning

Clothed with white feathers

Configured in ultimate meekness

A bird of transcendental implications

Even the white spots are gone from my hands

Your pureness never leaves my heart

Lekeleke

Bamileke

Eyeadaba

Bamileke

© Olatuja Oloyede