Olas From the Niger To Debbie Guzzie

From the distance shores of the Niger
I have come, O good friend 
With glittering 'Ola ocha and ola edo' from our ancient river
As precious presents to you my good friend


From the treasury fold of my grandfather
O friend, I brought these these olas in honor of our friendship
 As time's feet crawl and crawl little further
O friend I pray the sea of life spares your sailing ship


Here from the dark hole of my oil-rich black field 
O friend I wire prayers across the Atlantic Ocean
As your birthday balloons dance in the open field
O friend may God package more glorious years with passion 


Dedicated to Debbie Guzzie. 
Note: ola ocha and ola edo are silver and gold in Igbo tribe in West Africa
Niger is the biggest river in Nigeria 
I have said this before and must continue saying it. Among the wonderful people on earth Deb is the best. This is the least I can offer on her birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEB!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2011



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Date: 12/29/2011 7:20:00 PM
this is so awesome and what a tribute to Debs. Isn't she a doll? Ola means "a wave" in Spanish. I thought maybe you were doing a reference to the ocean and then i read what they meant at the bottom. thanks for the translation!
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Date: 10/14/2011 6:56:00 AM
Ok, now this poem is...great is not saying what I want to say, it's an understatement and too general, yet you know what it means for something to be great; so nice, a model for poetry. Nice work Osita.
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Date: 9/19/2011 6:17:00 PM
aww I'm blushing light & love from new england ct usa!
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Date: 9/19/2011 3:25:00 PM
Great piece Joseph.. sweet dedication... thanks for sharing
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