valentine orji
@valentineorji949581
1 year ago

#FlavorsofHome Poetry contest

Ofe Onugbu, my fave !

Though from the East side of the Niger in Nigeria it hails
Now all through her vast expanse and beyond it reigns
The enthralling vernonia African soup !

That this would be so was sure
For it's allure is that much strong

Sweetness wrung out of Bitter
With typical satiating African culinary
Unwritten mastery handed down the ages

Surely you'll admire that it is Native
Like your pallettes and soul'll admit it's continental

Almost all that do the venture can't resist hence !,
For vernonia introduces such thrill to all like nothing else !

Everything in it has such strong pull ;
If it's the beef variety, oh what a delight !
But is it not the stockfish taste climaxes that rivets me most ?

No, I actually can't say !
Because it's chicken variant I know I can't resist !
You wouldn't know until you've done the venture
What vernonia brings out of chicken !

The extra thrills from the spiced entrails you'll surely recall
Attesting to enthralling Uziza and Ogili African aromas
Just like the roast - dried African catfish !

The magic remains in how
Bitter vernonia achieves such captivating allure,
The unique African cocoyam delivering a blending paste

Give me my scintillating Ofe Onugbu now !
For the longing's so hard to hold !

Serve it with Eba made from cassava, you just can't go wrong !
Or with pounded yam, you'll love the thrill so
No, you can't miss it's joy with semovita too
Nor wheat meal, and Amala, the southwest delight!
And there are now, that feast it with rice !

Ofe Onugbu, my fave
Oh how it thrills me so sweetly
And even calms my gut so
And so, I enjoy it voraciously
And also thank it for it's healing ways

Valentine A Orji, Writer, pharmacist, compere/motivational speaker, Marketing/Business Consultant.

---