By Soji Cole
That black Friday
When the canoe berthed by the bank
You entered as a passenger
Oh, how can you be so unsuspicious!
Not to know that the canoe paddler was death
Now, how do I tell the world what my eyes have seen!
How shall I tell the world what my ears have heard?
How shall I tell the world that I need to tell another that when the sonorous drum was beaten,
Your sacred feet were not there to do their magic
Oh…, how shall I control this tears that flow freely from my eyes!
How do we tell you now that you ought to have summoned us,
When that dark stranger brought his canoe to take you away!
How do we tell you that you took a part of us away on this journey you have made?
Oh…, don’t go to sleep yet,
Linger…, IFY linger still
For you are leaving with so much unfinished assignments
Linger…, IFY linger still
For Fela eagerly awaits your warm embrace
Linger…, IFY linger still
For those students you are mentoring are yet to attain maturity
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the ink is still plenty in the pen
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the dances are yet to speak to the world
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the dreams are yet unborn
Linger…, IFY linger still
For those children on the streets are still beaten and battered
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the classroom is full of students waiting for their teacher
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the drummer’s body is now full of sweat
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the almond tree will soon be full of fruits
Linger…, IFY linger still
For you owe us that gift you’re taking away
Linger…, IFY linger still
For the way you’re headed is too dark for us to see
Linger…, IFY linger still
To see what ambience of sorrow you’re leaving behind
Linger…, IFY linger still
And tell us how to compose into song this tune of sorrow that we share
Linger.., IFY linger still
And after…
Let him who made you take you home…
Gently…,
To sleep.