A tree stands
at the centre of flood,
the only thing
standing on our land,
overthrown by flood.
I long to see
that stump
on which we used to sit,
after the farm’s work.
That fire place,
where we gathered
for warmth
and roasted our crickets
for picnic.
That mud bed
on which we used to lie
to refill our strength
for the following day.
Nothing i could see now,
for the torrential flood
rides on our beds and ridges,
on our homesteads and farmsteads.
All that remains of us,
is that tall tree
under which tall tales
are told to us in the moonlight.
The only tree,
still standing
at the centre of flood.
Poet’s Bio: Gabriel Bamgbose is a Nigerian writer and critic. He is currently teaching in the Department of English, Tai Solarin University of Education, Nigeria. He is the founding editor of Ijagun Poetry Journal. He is widely published in different academic journals, national and international. Some of his literary works have appeared in The New Black Magazine, The Literary Yard, BareBack Magazine, Sankofa Magazine, Online Nigeria and Ijagun Poetry Journal. Also, one of his poems is longlisted for the 2013 Ghana Poetry Prize and is forthcoming in Prestige Anthology. Contact him at gabrielbamgbose(at)yahoo.com