IDYLLIC: "ÌBÀDÀN" BY DAMILOLA OMOTOYINBO

seven hills beckon

the sun to a dance. two steps

forward, another to the left. kongas powder

their rhythm on the rusty face of Beere & Òjé.

like a blooming peduncle, Bódìjà gives her arms

to the wind. bejeweled hips

of Agodi sway in joyful

abandonment. amidst the seamless blend

of Sángo, houses with smelly

gutters cluster like beehives. here,

street children stomp their feet

with hysterical laughter. slowly,

Mókólá opens up its mouth,

the melody drowns in a pool

of  honking vehicles.

the day is not ripe

but a muezzin harvests it with a sickle,

spreads it on a tray & calls the world

to feast. a preacher would not bulge,

he walks past, throws a punch-like sermon:

the world will end soon. the world might end

now. he walks on, jagged alleys morph into neatly

paved roads, where humans in Micras groan to the music

of communal misery. he walks on,

till he finds people speaking in the tongue of  his

neighbor. everywhere is home.

every road leads to our doorknob.

© Damilola Omotoyinbo

- Nigeria

"Ìbàdàn" by Damilola Omotoyinbo

 is a vivid celebration of the city of Ibadan, portraying its landscapes, bustling neighbourhoods, and diverse people. The poet takes the reader through the city's seven hills, busy markets, crowded streets, and lively communities, capturing both its beauty and its imperfections. Through images of religious devotion, urban struggles, and cultural diversity, the poem presents Ibadan as a place where different people and traditions coexist. Despite the noise, poverty, and daily challenges, the city remains welcoming and united, culminating in the idea that "everywhere is home" and that all roads lead to a shared sense of belonging. The poem ultimately celebrates Ibadan's vibrant spirit, resilience, and communal identity.