I was lost.

This is a poem about a visit I made to Ekpoma several years ago during my quest for admission into BENSU. I dropped several kilometres away from the school because I saw a small signpost with BENSU written on it. It was several hours later having found myself trekking into the thick Bush that I realised I hadn’t reached the University gate before I alighted from the vehicle I entered. It was a hard lesson to learn as a teenager. But a certain Mr Tom also in his late teens accommodated me for the night and took me to BENSU (Now AMBROSE ALI UNIVERSITY) the following day.

Read and enjoy.

My feet dragged on and on
Treading on a wet lonely road alone
No birds sang, not even a cawing crow
I was lost and I knew it.

Young and foolish
I took a wrong turn and entered a forest
Now I am on a voyage to the unknown in the land of Ekpoma
The way back to peace has become a faded memory.

Tears welled up in my eyes
Why do bad things happen at the worst times
Heavy rain is pouring out of the mouth of heaven upon a weary body
My face is drenched in rain and in salty tears.

********************’***

Why did I do this to myself
Why didn’t I think before I alighted from the vehicle
Crying and walking deeper and deeper into the jungle
I am a teenager who won’t see my “Mama” anymore.

I asked the trees “where I was”

They said “you are on a journey to safety”

“Lost in the right route”

“Hurry on as the earth is preparing to rest”.

The rain stopped suddenly

As if to allow the wind to carry the voices of men through the trees to me
“Stop who goes there” their command sent chills into my tired body

Everywhere stood still as shadowy people surrounded me.

“I am a lost youth from the distant land of Osogbo” I cried out
“A stranger who took a wrong turn at an impulsive moment”
“I never robbed a man save for a few pieces of meat stolen from my mama’s pot”
“May I lay my head here whilst I contemplate my future”.

They gave me a place to lay my head for the night
In the house of a certain Mr Tom U

Who smuggled me in so his uncle wouldn’t ‘ know
That a lost impulsive youth is about to spend a night at his house.

When the mosaic of my life’s journey is assembled tile by tile
A medal of honour to you Mr Tom U
I am the youth you harboured without asking me what name was
May heaven reward you for the good you did over 35years ago.
SELAH.

To read another poem click on this link CASTRATED ANGER

If you have ever been lost before? Have you ever found yourself on a road and you didn’t know the way out? Or have experienced a rough travelling experience? Write it in the comments section below.

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Till next time.