KEBBI
TALL, white green city with ajar doors.
City with burrowed peace between her lips, like Cuban cigarette.
KEBBI the unconquered zeal, where
fallen heroes left their swords standing
hilly fold, where sights are belongings
where belonging are sights articulating
KEBBI, we tilled your bosom; you energies us.
We seeds you; you grains us.
Sprouts us into crops we call home,
where hunger lost its map of the belly.
A shoulder that raised us to the world with the song of hope. And the dreams our ancestors left in their swards.
KEBBI, a voice in and out of ancestors
A, tales that tell us & tell them of
how beautifully we have transformed
A tales that tell them & tell us of how
We excelled in education and health
A tales that tell them and tell us of
keeping you awake, KEBBI, with patriotic cries & struggles
KEBBI, a voice interrogating pains.
A tongue that sang its songs.
Of the people climbing the ladder to success. Because here is KEBBI
DOORS always finds a home in you.
I AM four leagues away from home
I rolled out of mind’s bed
With two thousand seven hundred songs of your bravely songs sang me song
Even though it’s April, KEBBI, i’ve said my wishes. I have you happiness and sadness have no power over me.
I AM four leagues away from home
I rolled out of wishes’ bed
Flowers bloom watches bronze sky sheds its pale worries.
The earth needs a garment of shower.
It’s April no more, Oh! rain of ice, water me with KEBBI.
My wish old & new to the colour of BIRNIN KEBBI. Happiness hear me or not, reach me or not, I am BIRNIN KEBBI, I roll, I roll.
I AM four leagues away from you
I rolled out of anger’s bed. Watches
trees of fears shed for the sobbing year
December drags its dry feet into silver-less January
I’ve realized April leaving its empty hollow as traps.
O tall, white green city of ajar doors
KEBBI the unconquered zeal, where
fallen heroes left their swords standing
For me to fight for my happiness and freedom, I need you.
Umulkulsum Sarki is a final year student of Usman Danfordio University Sokoto, Sokoto State.