Mister Man. Sometimes, I refuse. To tell you how good you are. Like Onigbagbe, I forget…

how your words have watered me on hot harmattan days

You can take it, I say, when I draw and draw and draw and draw from your patience… Onisuuru… that Well that seems so endless.

I forget. Like Onigbagbe. I forget how you deny yourself the simple things so I can make the world of you.

Your strength baffles me. Everything in its stride. You in your stride.

Oh those shoulders, sturdier than the Atilogu dancer’s. Balancing all of my worries, tantrums, laughter, tears, calmness. Balancing me.

Like Onigbagbe. I forget. I forget the days when I think a table is great to stand on. And your hands guide me to the ladder. “Go on”, you say, “go on, I’ll hold it so you can climb as high as you want.” And hold, you did.

Like Onigbagbe. I forget. Like today. Happy International Men’s Day. Mister Man.

©️ Taiwo Odumala 2019

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