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ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, 1982: (Part Thirty-Six)
***Reader’s Note:
I was informed that I should complete the ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY series before moving on to the next series, THE RETURN.
I will therefore return to the ENGLISHMAN IN BENIN CITY, and continue with Part Thirty-six. To refresh the memory of our readers, I have placed parts Thirty-five and Thirty-four at the end of Part Thirty-six.
THE IYEYE PALANT
To the Yoruba Nation
There is a new vision
It is from Odu Irosun
And it advocates the IYEYE plant
Now listen:
We are now near the top of the Gbadi Hill
It is the tallest hill in the universe
So tall, its head is a pointed triangle.
Now the citizens of Iperi were hungry
They cried out from hunger and unhappiness
They were in pain for homelessness
They needed a savior
Who will protect the people of Iperi
A young stranger will shelter the people of Iperi
THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
I woke up during the night and went to the bathroom.
There was no water to wash my hands.
No hot water. No cold water.
What was going on?
I went downstairs.
No running water.
The beginning of time.
The beginning of time.
Is it a house?
Or a kolanut?
Is this thing an insect inside the mystery of life?
KỌ́LẸ́Ẹ̀JÌ ONÍGBÁMÉJÌ.
Professor Adeleke Adeeko has used my recent painting for the cover of his new book, titled KỌ́LẸ́Ẹ̀JÌ ONÍGBÁMÉJÌ.
It is a translation of Femi Osofisan’s book, titled CHOLERA COLLEGE.
Professor Adeeko teaches at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.