I AM WARRI — A Progressively Working Project!* By Bard Malik O.

Warri is my name: Africa is where I'm from! Just as the jowl,

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.

Photo Credit : Solomon Abe, Virtuosity

I am Warri, who no one, worries.... O, hapless waif, wary of

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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