*Eid Day*
Sallah
Still smells good
Like the fragrance
Of a scented rose
Or a gorgeously dressed Amarya ready to be
Taken to her hubby's home.
Don't you have
Good ears anymore
To hear the loud gud'a
Of jubilation
Renting the air
Like the sound of Maitafari's gun salutes
Heralding the coming of lion -Aminu Ado Bayero?
True, the rams,
The cattle and the camels are still sacrificed in Multiples not minding
The hard looks on the faces
Of many engineered
By the hot heat
Of Bubu's harsh policy - all borders should be locked.
Again, despite the monsterous Covid,
Still we prayed
And greeted the Emir
Mounted on the back
Of an Akawali horse
Like the stoic
And stunning Dala hill
Always withstood
The unfriendly sun.
Sure, sallah is lively
And lovely still,
But to the kids
Not me who has no Mother to visit with her Tuwon sallah anymore!
Khalid Imam