But this walk
in the crown jewel
with mother and father
this path
this alley
the valley awash in green
lush
the steps so retraced
a million times
the clobber by the roadside
the signboards
the turns
the faces familiar
the shadows so known
no fear touched the heart
no fear seemed near
nothing forlorn
the garden lit outside
with myriads of hopes
beckons and calls
and I wish to cling on
to the post of my bed
and shake my head
so familiar is the floor
so dear each door
O my walk in the crown jewel
O Mother!
O Father!
(From “Iola”. May Allah bless you with all you want. Yes yes I would pray for you whenever I remember you).
