Love,the rope that binds two hearts,the cord that fetters two breasts,the twine that enchains two bosoms,the thread that holds two passions,the bark that stiffens two paths. A few dusks ago,ours was as thick as diamond.Oh, this dawn, it faded.This dawn it melted.At this gleam, it faded into waned,This dawn it melted into spineti. Thin our…

As I walked, treasure home,Singing and whistling aloud,Afar, my sight caught a glimpse,A precocious damsel,Strolling towards me. She wore her heart upon her face,So I called to herThat I may give her a shoulder to cry on,And an eye to walk with. She smiled,And asked me to walk herTo the seashore.There, we laid our laughter,Upon…

In Yoruba mythology, Magun, literally meaning “do not climb” is one of the most dreaded mystical warnings. It is said to be a potent spiritual trap placed on a woman, usually by her husband or elders, to keep her from straying. The belief goes that any man foolish enough to have sexual intercourse with her,…

When mothers call at dusk,Come, lay your dawn down.We were in the dark. Last night she was here,To bid her Olose farewell.She swaggered like the leaf of the igi iroko,in the sacred grove of the goddess Osun. Alluring was her scent,like Obi edun in Osun’s grove. How do I resist her?She is the Arugba of…

Earth, ancient mother,I return to your embraceas the hourglass sighs its last breath,as the drum of the clock beats its final note. I come to rest where the sun bows low,its golden crown slipping behind the hills,its fire spilling into the waiting night. Farewell.Farewell.Farewell. Farewell to the sands,you cradled my footprints,you kept my secrets,you bore…

Olokun, the goddess,The duchess,Mother of all mothers. Your milk, earthlings crave;Your care, sucklings rave. Olokun, the goddess,Like the stalk of plantain,Your offspring cluster,To the barren, you gift childrenas rain gifts rivers. Olokun, the duchess,Their fears you drown,Their doubts you doom. Olokun, the goddessof the river,Olokun, the duchessof the gods.