Memories Of My Town (Merti) Poem by Ibrahim Bidu

On your streets I grew;
Learnt to draw and stones throw
Mastered the values
And learnt to be shrewd
Friendships I forged
And hearts I broke.
In its darkness I played
and into people's ways strayed
Raising eyes brows and lots of heys.
About Abdi gara guda and Simba made fun
And from the passing adults
Earned insults and some sweet slaps.

In your river I learnt to swim,
And on its banks smoked,
Cracked jokes,
Exchanged stories on how to grow pot,
Ran after butterflies and from bees stole.

On your plains I strode
And the rocks of your dark plateau lounged.
How I love you I can’t express;
I dream, sleep and breathe you
And wish from you I’ll never part
Till death do us part