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The Old Iroko Tree

A newer version of my favorite subject "The Iroko Tree." A tree that reminds me of my root.

Strong and majestic, she sits

in the market place on Ewusi Street

where I played at six

watching merchants ply their treats.

Pans and potteries!

They cry out.

Beads and bracelets

Stop and buy!

Love potion

for your portion.

Charms for your foe

come in tow.

Decades have lapsed

since I was six.

On Ewusi Street, she still sits

slightly bent but majestic still.

Climbing her limbs are new six;

sitting on those mighty arms

that offered solace

when I was six.

Birgitta Abimbola Heikka.

Tags: Iroko, Tree, nostalgia

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cleveland W. Gibson on July 2, 2012 at 11:26am

That's a nostalgic tale/poem about a grand old tree.

There is no interesting than an old fairy like tree full of deep mysteries and myths and surrounded by colourful players. On the stage of life even the tree comes into its own.

Good for you to tell us about the tree. Try and get it into a heritage book. I'm sure there must be somebody who gathers up all these interesting bit of natural/human history.

Well done.

Something to smile about, if you see what I mean.

Permalink Reply by Birgitta Abimbola Heikka on July 2, 2012 at 8:11pm

Thanks for those comments. Would try to find some heritage book that will accept the poem. Means a lot.

Cleveland W. Gibson said:

That's a nostalgic tale/poem about a grand old tree.

There is no interesting than an old fairy like tree full of deep mysteries and myths and surrounded by colourful players. On the stage of life even the tree comes into its own.

Good for you to tell us about the tree. Try and get it into a heritage book. I'm sure there must be somebody who gathers up all these interesting bit of natural/human history.

Well done.

Something to smile about, if you see what I mean.

Permalink Reply by Cleveland W. Gibson on July 6, 2012 at 2:40pm

Somebody once shouted at me that Nigeria is keen to preserve its culture. It might be tied up to the embassy, or something a cultural minister might know about. In the UK the Cultural Minister is Ed Vasey. He is a good guy.
In Nigeria there are short story competitions and I'd suspect poetry ones too. Ask somebody you know in Nigeria to watch out for them. I'll try to do a search to see what turns up.
Best wishes
Cleveland

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