Gelede Festival Poem by Tosin Abegunde

Gelede Festival

Down the earth of the show
Lies the spectators with claps.
Gathering in perches and row
Awaiting the play of giants.
'Ofredoma! ', they sing aloud,
Yelling support and contempt,
Only for the show to becloud,
Having set for the contest.

Ohun ti n tan lodun Egungun,
Omo Alagbaa yio f'akara j'eko!

The spirit becomes passionate.
Medals the 'strengthless' lost,
Leaving the strength desolate,
Lingering on the record it cost.
Let not victor pump the wine,
As posterity blends with time.
Lest the strong feed on swine,
When truth savour like thyme.

Ohun ti n tan lodun Egungun,
Omo Alagbaa yio r'akara j'eko!

When the real feat shall come
Past will feature in the future
Ease would print the outcome
Facts will paint nomenclature
Strangers will be intimated
The man within stands gallant
Aquintances to be intimidated
Situation defines a rea giant.

Ohun ti n tan l'odun Egungun,
Omo Alagbaa yio r'akara j'eko!