I Know the Tree In My Village

We once climbed those tree happily As mum and daddy were at home enjoying themselves. We sang kpakpangolo ogolo, sang Onye ga agba egwu Who is in the garden and my grand pa has a big eyes Those stupid songs of morals and cultural values. I know the trees in my village The Ugba tree was where the witches held their meetings But were later caught and punished, The civil war started in the crying tree in my home town Under the beautiful mountains Iyi azu. The first election took place in the Iroko tree in my compound. I know the symbols of those pretty trees Their scent, leaves and stem. some of them once told me goodbye on the day of my departure to the city Some wept and told me how much they would miss me at home They reminded me how they have fed me when mother pushed me outside with no food. Then they were my playmate. I spoke English and igbo to them and taught them how T To dance the atilogwu dance How Eyo festival is celebrated in the west. I told them about our country, Nigeria and her bad leaders. They really helped me during my tribulation But a enough, the westerners had destroy us, They taught us how to kill those friendly shady trees Use them for stupid things which have no value. I know those pretty trees which shield me from Pains and sorrow when the sun came down to torment me Like a monster and they guided me from the rain. I know those tree of hope and endurance who stood Against all odds to see me through when all deserted And i was left alone in the dark . Every thing God created are beautiful The world is beautiful. I wanted to grow old with those trees but The evil men cut them down when i least expected.