Tell Kano Poem by Naseeba Babale

Tell Kano

Tell Kano that for every step
I took away from it
My heart was pierced with grief
And that even the moon couldn't
Heal my sorrow

Tell Kano that I miss
Its warm embrace
And its peaceful quiet
That in this place the sun
Never goes to sleep
Nor does the stars ever rest

Tell Kano that
It's a haven where a hyena Houses a dog and that
In this place the earth quakes
For a foreign grain of sand

Tell Kano that
I miss its harmattan winds
That colors us with dust
And that in this place
The wind gives only with fisted hands

Tell Kano that
I miss its scorching sun
That bakes the skin
Garnishing it with salty sweat
The sun here?
Makes a tasteless meal

Please tell Kano that
I miss its lively soul that
wakes a dead body
Its streets full of life
And that in this place feet
Are like folded wrapper

Tell Kano that
I miss its decent clothing
Cover for the smallest of atoms
And that in this place there
Are peeled oranges and unwrapped bananas

Please tell Kano that
I long for its warmth and
That every step I take here is
In a river of tears and
A steep plateau of loneliness

Tell Kano
Not to cry for my absence
For when I come back to it
I shall come with loving heart and
That in its arms again
I shall fall asleep.

Nasiba Babale
January 28,2017