A familiar pang of pain
Tears at my heart
He is leaving me again
Off on a war path.
The desert calls to him
It also tells me a story
One of loss and goodbyes
Fellow women folk and I
Ululate as they march on by
Oh Desert! Do not swallow my man
Quick sand, do not take my love
Desert sands be soft for his feet
Desert winds, tell him of my love
Bring him back to me.
Oh Desert! My home
Windy and dry
You have made my heart
Strong and tried
Do not push me further,
Pray! Don’t test my faith.
O God of the desert
Take heed to my plea
Make me rejoice again.
Debra Ayis
Also from the same Author: Changing Times : The Nigerian woman