Tales, In Black And White
by Ojimgba Uko

So Long A Letter, You Wrote Me:
Putting in Black and White, Tales
Of Tears, and Anguish Bye-Gone 
Of Twilights, Nights, Stars and Crescent Moons
Fore-runners of Jubilee.

  
Of agitations, for our oil-wells 
Of mayhems, moribund and morbid 
Heralding independence, and 
The Christening of the republic.

  
Of sermons, Apostolic and Grail 
Of duty-bound, relentless arms 
Bringing morsel and sweet-water 
To the threshold of the poor.

  
`Love, O Unflinching love 
For your neighbour, alienated, and 
For your enemies, that, smack you 
And the strangers, with strange tongues
That waste us and our produce'.

 
So long a letter, you wrote me:
Teaching me of godly forbearance
Drawing my strength and fortress 
From His sweet fountain 
Flowing deep and wide.