the fingerprint
and the voice*2 of each man: I
am unique
in all my ways
... with dispositions like no other!
My patois is not
farfetched—a pidgin which
qualifies me: A
language pedagogue.
Oft-times,
I get misconstrued; and smacked
down,
like Uzzah,*3 whose right intent
left dead!
What
cross-purpose! I thus, refuse to be adulterated;
and
will not pride in pomp with the psychedelic prances and
struts
of the noble gaits—Lekki of Lagos*4
and Asokoro of Abuja*5.
But,
assert still, the relish of freedom in the bliss of
primitive
ignorance; and saunter in my natural swagger. I
pledge
though to ace my class, wherein Ojuelegba*6 also
is placed!
This
depressive impression is one that urgently calls for recreation: I
am
the engine room of Niger-Delta; the heart of southern Nigeria;
and
our nation's economic core. My belly worms*7 are
bold,
not
arrogant; dogged, not malignant! My face is graced
with
three tribal marks:* 8 T'obura; Ara-ede;
Maavuo,
whose
individual differences, work in synergy to
make hospitable
the incisions, carved for homely
niches of
strangers, visitors ... and passers-by alike.
deprivations—nude
and raw.... Raw as unrefined crude: Crude
drilled for
explorative exploitations; now tears run down my cheek.
Sorry, I beg
your pardon: Spills run down my streets!
I am that pearl,
deserving polish, so as to merit the palace;
to adorn Queen
Nigeria's neck,*9 and
then display my innate lustre:
Take me hence,
to the furnace; for a hot bath, as I yearn to be gold bold!
I am that age
long lot with room, good to grow.... Craftwork*10 in
the making
that attracts
artisans to come mould in sense; etch out decadence; and
paint on, moral
essence: Oh! The creation of a high-priced piece de
résistance,
which will keep to ride the bench: Leonardo da Vinci's
endearing priceless
portrait of Mona Lisa*11 in Paris—Louvre!*12
I am Warri.... A
Progressively Working Project!
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