I am Ada, no wealth to partake,
Dad tapped palm wine, Mom sold old rake,
Poverty’s grip, like a dagger’s cruel wake,
In our village, outcasts, hearts ache.
I chose to journey, a path to undertake,
Hunting for riches, a new chapter to make,
For my family’s sake, a stand I would stake,
Defying the doubters, their negativity I would break.
From waiter to cleaner, risks I would undertake,
Confronting my fears, my courage would not shake,
Through rain and thunder, I would find a way to partake,
Among gangsters and hardships, my spirit would not forsake.
Love came knocking, a heart at stake,
Abuse soon followed, bones did break,
Abortions brought agony, dreams did flake,
Health and riches vanished, in their wake.
Life felt hollow, like Cain’s cursed rake,
In poverty’s grasp, no solace to partake,
Powerless to bury my parents, a heartbreaking ache,
Their souls restless, as I struggled in the quake.
For Ada’s sake, my words I now remake,
Survived through trials, wisdom I now reawake,
At eighteen, dear daughter, decisions you will have to make,
In life’s turbulent sea, tread cautiously, for your own sake.
Listen to my voice, let not haste overtake,
Avoid deceitful love, its promises are fake,
Wealth’s allure may lead to mistakes,
Slow down, my child, for your future’s sake,
In the name of Ada, these words I rake.
© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi
Ifedolapo Ogunniyi 