OKIGBO

THE LEGACY OF CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO

When I firstly knew you
Brain amalgamated to you
Reincarnated by grandpa soul
Affinity, an Igbo deity of Idoto
Personified in the river that flows through
Prominent water goddess of eastern zoo.

Achebe's mouth unhesitatingly testified
Your reputation as versatile athlete
A gifted pianist, college of Ibadan
Made forays into art and poetry
Wrapping African writers
Into a pot of negritude.

Your life in passionate intensity
Your life touched the African souls
Living strongly as Nigerian keyboard
With strong passion to change the world
Missioned in transforming African history
Looking like virgin moon in eastern sky

You're a shrub among the poplars
Needing roots thirsting for sunlight
Like the papyrus reed of the lake
Your belief would be uprooted
Your kindles still inflame
In heartbeats of blacks