Beautiful Okuboere Poem by Babalola Augustine Adeola

I have heard of how beauty betrays by fading away
Like the footprint left on the savannah sand,
Gone as though they never existed,
But your story is one to be told
For generations yet to be decided
Your beauty,
Is one that words have described as "un-describable"

Okuborere!
Legend told of your beauty and strength
That caused men and women to travel South
Hoping to conquer your heart which was not only made of gold,
But also, the fountain of precious liquor
Even the one's eyes are yet to see.

Not just your beauty, like your name,
Wealth and beauty rode on strength
To complement your beautiful name.
You were the symbol of hard work, dignity, and pure virtue.
The creeks in the Delta testify to this,
As they clean your bosom daily into the sea
While ushering in blessings from the sea
Sailing your boats daily as the baskets acknowledge your wealth
Your fireplaces were never cold,
As the pots were always competing for it

Okuboere!
Your story was such a sweet one
Until you started accommodating men from the North, West, and East
Who disguised as suitors.
Some in Khaki, others in Babariga and Agbada
Even under their Babariga, they still had guns.
Your handsome cousin from Otueke,
Could not even do much.

They raped, ripped and razed you in the name of marriage
Their love came with the reservoir just to drain from your wealth
They turned you to a stream
Where everyone fetched from,
But no one replenishes.
You were reaped even with the help
Of your own children
Who sold you for sits at the center
Yet, you have refused to die.

They have tried to suffocate you with their pleasure pipe
Puffing out from their installed pipes in Ogoni lands
Poisoned your water,
While drilling for more of your liquor
But you have refused to yield.
Hanging on a string of hope,
Hoping that some days,
Your beauty will be revived.

Okuboere! Please I beg of you,
Stay alive and don't die.
Your salvation will come,
But I can't promise when.