TAWAKALITU

TAWAKALITU

                             ……..ELUSIYAN TOLU’ FRANCIS

This is virtue her self

As the dwindling candlewicks flirted

With the dawn, she watched us slowly

Awakening with loving familiarity

She taught us how to wash

She taught us how to cook

She taught us how to behave

At a glance of her eyes

Conveys so many messages

Which is not always difficult,

For us to decode.

Hard-work is her paradigm

A woman of great virtue

Whose ways of life cannot but enthuse

Her discipline cannot be restrained

Neither can it be measured

Her order is final

Her instruction is firm

So steady and firm that it cannot be dared

If you become hard

War becomes her implement

The war you cannot win

Because she is mother exqusitus

A mother excellentus

Cooking becomes so easy

Humility becomes our virtue

Respect becomes our model

Favour that we received from her

As she allows thoughts to wash over us

Like the miniature diamond-backed fish

That swam underfoot and shuffled

Through memory folders

In the back of our minds

Placing in us morality and discipline

Tawakalitu[i] (mo ba olorun oba duro)

I stand with God alone

A woman without fear

Whose courage can elude that of Abija-wara[ii]

Rich in texture

Vivid in description

Impressive in thought

Massive in hard-work

What can we do without you

We own everything to you

If we are to come to this world

Again and again

We would love to come through you

Mother! Be strong.

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[i] The poem is dedicated to Mrs. Rita T. Elusiyan, the mother who gave birth to me! I love you mom!

[ii] Abija-wara is a name of the most powerful warrior in ancient Yoruba language movies