A Poem: "Oriaku"

If you sparkle as the morning stars;
I'll call you Bewaji.
If you are to be cared for and pampered;
I shall call you "Abeke".

But I adore and cherish you so much;
Maybe, just maybe I'll call you "Akanke"
If we weathered the storm together;
You earned the rights to be called "Alake"

Your father called you Ayinke
Because you are worth praising
Did you say you were a chike of persuasion
Let's call you "Abebi"

If her name is "Amope"
She is an encyclopedia of knowledge
You hesitated when I made to carry you
Until i called you Abegbe

If I forget your morning beauty
I'll never forget "Abike"
When men fought Lion for your attention
They forgot your "oriki" is "Aduke"

You bring me joy my Ayoka
So, you'll always be my "Aponke"
As I will hold and carry you in love
If I get lost in all these beautiful "Oriki's"
I'll just call you "Duduke", my one and only "Oriaku"

Babatunde Raimi
Nigerian Author, Life Coach & Poet
+2348178827380 & +2348035063895

Photo Credit: Rare Magic Weddings