Face To Face Poem by Joshua Emeka Osu

Jambo had tried all day to avoid a meeting
He didnt want their paths to cross today
The havoc could happen
But, he preserved it for later

It's evening, dark and dusty
He has lived in this tiny Fulani village for half his age
The other half he spent
Taking his uncle's flock to greener pastures


He walked the twisted path to the stream
One final dip before the maidens come
One final dip he makes
Now he must face it... today or never

Face to face with Zainab
He gathers his clothes and walks the short distance to greet her
Against all odds he grabs her hand
This evening is theirs for ever

Before he tells her those sacred words
He tells her his deepest fear
And its not the 99 stripes
It's that he has a fragile heart

His charms have seen him throught thick and thin
His sword has seen the inside of men
But now he's face to face with this girl
And he has a fragile heart