Poem: People Of Oruakpo

I appeared contrarian
Though driven by curiosity
Like a child exploring his gifts
I was mystified
By the agelessness they exude

People of Oruakpo
Somewhere in Isiokolo
A generation of veterans
Longevity runs in their veins
I entered a state of stupefaction
But for a good course

Curiosity led the fly to the grave
I saw mysteries
This was a conundrum
A riddle i am poised to solve
And that i must
Before sunset at noonday

Her response was boisterous
As i echoed "Megwo"
Like a bullet ricocheting
"Vrendo" my son, she responded
The sight of her son
An illustrious son of the soil
Reminded her on the udje steppings
Like a new bride

Unaided she danced and swayed
What a beautiful scenery to behold
The joy of motherhood
Mama was five score and four
A whooping hundred and four years
As they made to catch up
An invitation was brought
The oldest man in the village passed
At the ripe age of six score and ten
Wait till i tell you

Mama's neighbourn, six score
The rural outliving the urban
Surely, in Delta State
Longevity runs in their ancestry
A lineage of naturals

Processed foods were taboos
Unlike their urban comrades
Gulping every fast food
Negating the negatives
In Oruakpo, everyone is a farmer
With at least a vegetation

They understood Genesis 1 verse 11
As uncertificated herberlists
The leafs "Digwe" for them
But for serious medical exigencies
They rarely visit the orthodox

Give them shekels today
You will find it in their "Umuama"
A local bank in their house
They prefer local to broilers
Everything is by nature
In that village
It is a breathe of fresh air

In our cities
A fifty year old is already "Figiti"
Why not retire and go home
A home of peace and longevity
After 35 years of service
You don't have a country home
What a shame with lost identity

In our villages, especially Oruakpo
Retirement starts at five score
My dear friend
One day, you will retire
Have you started planning?
Where is your retirement home?
Enough of procrastination
Now is the time

As for i and i
Isiokolo is the way to go
With one village wife
Integration should be easy
You too can live long
Go a little behind time

Babatunde Raimi (Author/Life Coach/Poet)