Down Apapa Wharf
they troop
to the sound of the whip
wielded from the rear.
In a straight file marching
like soldiers off to war
Their bellies swinging
from side to side
as they moo and heave
headless
of the motorists who halt
for fear of being mauled.
An erring breaks rank
from time to time
and wanders off
but the sting of a lash from the whip
brings the beast back in line.
Under the waking sky
down Apapa Wharf
in a straight file
like soldiers off to war
they march to the market
the Hausa and his herd.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
A poem with an attractive title, beautifully describes a herd of cattle being shepharded across a road, halting the motorists, and: 'in a straight file like soldiers off to war to the market, they march the herdsman and his herd.' - beautifully described indeed.