I remember you now, Ugomma
That was your name
It was on the lips of all growing boys, even mine
The sound of your moan was our night dreams
You rode on hurrah, and sweet eulogies
Sapping praises here and there
Like Achilles, son of Peleus, the greatest of warriors
From tots to grey-headed men
We lined up for a hug from your soft flesh
As we filled our thoughts with pictures of your body
You fed our desires with your curves
Waking cravings hidden in our loins
While brave boys crammed lines to woo you
Wives had harsh words for your ears
They hated you with passion
Ugomma, you were a proud monster
Breaking homes and breaking hearts
Your beauty made adults whine like boys
You killed us all with your contagious smile
Flashing dimples one wished to have
As you infused in us a new life
You were prettier in your youth more than Aphrodite
Men adored you with flavoured praises
And gods died of envy
Those days were all yours
Death to Ravana the demon-king
He tried to steal you from us once
Today, I sit here drowned by fiery thoughts
Sitting here reasoning with life
Thinking about you and the days gone-by
Age has made a mess of your face
For the iyanga days are over
Those days you calmed hell with a peck
While desire camped at your back
And all of you was made of ravishing beauty
The town smelled of your perfume
Every man wore it with such proud smile
Drooling at the sight of your face
We stored your voice in our memories
Wishing to own it for life
As gifts poured in like rain
Your lips were dotted red
Filled with giant temptations
And your eyes were full of worldly wonders
Where stars melted and formed diamonds
No one dared miss to know you
For you reigned in every man's thoughts
Today, Ugomma walks on lonely stairs
Deserted like many towns in Syria
Where fighter jets unleash smoking blows
Like a boxer who swore with his life to win a fight
Wrinkles play pranks on your tired face
And your backside has become deflated
Stretch marks sip juices there while crossing legs
Making mockery of your past glory
Old age has refused to hear your pleas
You've become history in the hearts of men
And now we the youths of those days no longer smile at you
We hiss at the sight of your presence
For your body has spent many years in life's university
Drilled to coma by many promiscuous men
It has graduated with failure
Your history no longer matter
Oh! Ugomma, you've become an effigy
Life!
-written by Alexander Thandi Ubani
POSTED BY IGBOANUGO CHUKA .B
