For Laini Mataka

THEY
SAID
THE SISTER WAS A
POET
THEY DIDN'T SAY
SHE WOULD MAKE ME
CLAP AND SCREAM
THEY ONLY
SAID
SHE WAS A POET
NOT  THAT SHE'D HAVE ME
ACTING A FOOL
A AMENING AND A RIGHT-ONING
AND A FEW "I HEARD THAT'S"
HAND SLAPPING AND FANNING
GRINNING AND NODDING WITH STRANGERS
THEY ONLY
SAID
SHE WAS A
POET
I DIDN'T EXPECT A SISTER-FRIEND
I DIDN'T KNOW I'D LEARN
AND
BE EXALTED
AND
VERY, VERY SAD
WHEN SHE HAD TO END

Oyafunmike Ogunlano