A Hunter's Promise | Kehinde Adedeji

Tonight I'll be away into the belly of uncharted forests
when the moon sells her hot pap
to the hungry mouth of stars
listen to my falling words, dear wife
keep my children tightly within the warmth
Of your broadest wrappers

feed Alani with tales of lizards
running across the dim latern
nodding his orange head
as a memorable rain
probe the house roof with waters

For I'll return in the morning
with shoulders dripping with meats

tell Asake not to sleep on mat of fear
tell her not to count the shadows like
bangles on the neck
For I'll return in the morning
with happiness in the pouch
and the legs of dead antelope
carried across my head and shoulders

Kehinde Adedeji

Poet's note: A poem about a hunter going for hunt at night. He informs his wife to take care of his children while he's away into the deepest forest that he'd return with happiness and meats. It is a poem covering the sweep of father's love to his children.