SWEET NOSTALGIA

Chukwuemeka Oluka
@emmanueloluka561455
13 days ago

Written By: Chukwuemeka Oluka

The sickle shape in the sky would smile
Illuminating our tender hearts and faces
At night, it kept our friendship warm
Under the beautiful ambience, we played
Kpumbo ololo, kpumba ololo in hide-and-seek

Later, the sun would oust the moon
And sit patiently on the horizon
Waiting for our friendship to blossom
Like the bud that yearned for sunlight
We came forth like the Hibiscus

We traced the footpaths to the stream
And whistled and communed with birds
Hands around shoulders like conjoined twins
Our earthen pots nested in arms akimbo
Trudging on errands to make Mama proud

Soon, it dripped freely from the heavens
We played and had fun in the lashing rain
Oh, how lovely when Mama was away
On our bellies, we glid on smooth muds
Like a canoe sailing on the Nile

The rain rested, and we built the huts
Small huts of sand like weaverbird nests
It collapsed; we put our legs to build again
Housing our friendships in resilience
Oh, those bonds; oh, sweet nostalgia

#AfricanChildhoodMemories
#ChildhoodinAfrica
#Poetry

POEM INSPIRATION:
The poem, "Sweet Nostalgia" is inspired by the need to value true friendships, especially those nutured from early childhood and formative years. Such friendships should be celebrated because they have stood the test of time.

TRANSLATION:
"Kpumbo ololo, kpumba ololo" is translated to mean the play-time call and response that usually precedes a hide-and-seek game.

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