A Returnee Poem by Michael McCoy wilson

I have traveled far and abroad
A voyage to many parts of the world
But it is not enough comfort far of
And, my heart hungers for my home

The whimper of the calves and sheep
The crying of babies and the kids
And Korode’s moon-light stories
Smoke also from mama’s chimney
All became pictures in my memory

Alas! There is a vacant house
Where is father? Where is everybody?
Only silence lingers around
Mama! Korode! Iya Ladi!
No response, no reply
Only my echo abounds
But cracks gap the walls about
Calamity! This is calamity!

Vultures hover over our den
The relics are the cobwebs
Returning is not the best
To tread on also is difficult
Aremo! My childhood friend
Can’t we see and play like before?
Fopomoyo! But this is not fair
I never knew you would be gone
You did not tell me about this journey
Now you give me a reason to worry
My blood runs fast; my heart pounds aloud
But say me well to my mother for me
Do not forget to say also to Aremoo mi
Be good to him like you used to do
Remember I am not there, I must be here
And like we use to, in all things that we earn
Keep my own in whatever you share

Orisa! You are the ancestral god
You are so cold that you just watched
You called for sacrifices of all sorts
For death and anguish not to come near us
You promised to always watch our hinds
Perhaps, you were never protective
You didn’t succeed in what you claim to be
You exposed them all to the foes of life
Death has made a fulfilled great harvest
Now, the house is filled with nobody
My reliance on you is forever empty