If Only... Poem by Abdulmajeed Soladoye

Beclouded by the thickening darkness, he wobbles towards his hand - knitted mat layed on the raised plank, snuggles his feather-stuffed pillow and reclined against the wall. Wondering: if only he could get some oil for his naked lamp, he would do more knitting and weave more baskets. The few baskets he had had been taken on credits, and he hardly gets enough proceeds to feed himself.

Swallowed in his thought, he began to feel the anguish of a forsaken food pouch. His heartbeat spike, and he could feel it thumping in his ears.He began to feel his head getting lighter, eyes becoming hazy and heavier; every cell in his body screaming hunger. If only he could be paid by his debtors, he would get a tuber of yam and some palm oil.

Languishing; yet he must strive to remain strong, if only to save his future from this pit of uncertainty. He lost total control of himself, drawn far away by nature to an obscure but serene place. He was numb physically and mentally. Everything became motionless, painless and all his anguish vanished.

He spotted a ray of light far beyond, maybe a day or two days light years, may be much closer. But he was certain it was a ray of light. Or could it be the ray of hope? Excited at this possibility, he began to feel the Light shinning on his face. oh! it's daylight. If only...