A dusty path had led me here
Across the Niger to the banks of Benue
Forgetting the miles and mountains behind
This travelling feet of mine now trample red strange soil
Down the cliff of this unknown I jumped
Obeying the clarion call

My bag across my shoulders
My dreams across my mind
Though I had forgotten how to smile
I can still hear the prayers of mothers
And feel the spirit of my fathers

Unto to you this foreign land I come
I've heard tales of you
Told by hunters and travellers
Behind the hearth of our grandmothers
And sometimes at the market square 
They said you are that night tiger
That steals the head of the careless
You are also the morning angel
That bless the fortune of orphans
You are whom you chose to be to any
Each time I gaze at this green kaki
This symbol of intelligence 
That reminds me of our crumbling nation
I wonder really which story to believe
What lot fate will allot me

I went with the noiseless wind from the west
Unannounced, unnoticed and unknown
The man you sent to bring me (driver)
Left me at the mercy of jackals at the crossroads
Remember I had no home in this place far from home
I watched a yonder tree
Wondered if that will be my bed for the cold night
I search the sky and saw darkness coming

But why is His phone not going through
I called and called but he could not hear
Is he lost like I am too?
I won't forgive this if the open field becomes my room tonight
And even in that uniform
The strangers passed in silence
Each minding his business

"O God, what have I done to deserve this?
The exile in a world with whistling hostilities
Is more than I can bear
I'm famished!
Hear there language
Like the rantings of frustrated stammerer 
I'm hungry
My body aches for the want of rest
My eyes deemed for the want of sleep
Let this cup please pass me over"

Then my phone rang sending vibes through my veins
It was my new boss
The one to host me for the night

Not until two hours passed
Before he rode in on his motorcycle
That motorcycle must have served him for years
With its rickety appearance
And the wailing confusions in its sounds
I can almost hear it pleading for mercy
From a master already too big for its back yo carry

The cold breeze had plundered my flesh
Hunger had ravaged my bowel
Beyond the repairs of a bowl of yams
Yet he came with his expected toga of apologies
I know he will say I'm sorry
But what's that to me
Give me food and bed in a warm room
And let me kiss the night and dream of home

© Olatuja Oloyede
***************Story continues later*********