Falola
The tall ìrókò that defines a forest
The tall ìrókò without which a forest is one big tree less.
Igi Gbàngbà!
Igi Ẹ̀rìmọ̀!
The huge Ìrókò whose canopy
spreads comfort over thousands
I celebrate another year
of your sturdy growth
I celebrate another year
of pan-African scholarship
I celebrate another year
of trans-Atlantic friendship
and cross-cultural projects
I celebrate another year
of productive collaborations
Last year,
you wept and bled
Your heart bore the burden
of global trauma
You prayed
and sang
and wrote
tons of memorials
to the living and the dead
This year:
May Elédùmarè
bring you comfort
from all sides;
may the Òrìṣà always
mount the defence
against the hordes of
Òfò
the loss of all love;
Àrùn
the dis-ease of our souls;
Ẹ̀gbá
the paralysis of our will;
Ikú
The demise of our pursuits;
and all other multiple
misfortunes attached
to the human condition.
Àṣẹ wà á!
Let it be so!
Great people:
Help me celebrate Professor Toyin Falola
the Grand Ol' Professor of Professors!
The Erinmi that troubles the mighty oceans.
Àsèyísàmódún, Bàbá Àgbàlagbà!
Adeshina
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