I AM A PHOENIX
In my innocence
I thought all was well
Not once, not twice
But every day without fail
I would hitch myself
On the wings of time like an elf
Together
We covered great distances
And flew across the seas
To lands
Where hyenas gather
To join in their banter
I had as my companion
Vanity’s son
Vanity who is my neighbor
Whose son I harbor
In my abode beyond
Ours is a land
Flowing with milk and honey
And abundance of wine and money
On our last trip
We did return
There was hushed silence in town
It was clear
Fear pervaded the air
So I retired
To my house
Wondering what is amiss
That night
Age
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Who is a sage
Paid me a visit
Have you not heard?
He said
The dreaded raider
Tonight he comes to plunder
I never believed a word of the great cantor
Even vanity’s son
Hidden behind the door
Laughed the sage to scorn
In the dead of night
I lie awake
To a pounding so great
Hooded men, hidden in the dark
With spears and swords
We were short of words
For vanity’s son
Lay among the slain
Before my eyes
My abode is reduced to ashes
The raider cheered his men
Urging them on
Till my heart is laid
Among the great ruin
But I shall rise again
Though my body you burn
I shall return
For I am phoenix
Can the same be said of my companion?
Vanity’s son
Who lay among the slain
©®John Olu Aina
