A poem reminiscing on personal life heavily influenced by Nigerian cultural foods.
Golden custard on the left with Nigerian Akara Beancake on the right by Canva Prime Stock
My taste of Akara.
It was a sunday morning at home grabbing at the smallest plate dished by mum.
a spoonful of golden custard then bite into it
another spoonful bite again
one left this one is special
SCORE ! just enough custard remains for it
for my special Akara to be cushioned as it floats down
down down down to become a taste of this 8-year-old’s past
Bowl of Nigerian Chin Chin by Canva Prime Stock
My taste of Chin Chin.
It was siesta time at boarding school queuing like the other girls till my turn.
a gulp of grape-flavored juice then chomp on it
another gulp chomp again
five left this handful is special
SCORE ! just enough juice remains for it
for my special Chin Chin to be cushioned as it tumbles down
down down down to become a meal of this 12-year-old’s past
Packs of Fan Ice icecream by @Midasnest on Instagram, Image approved for re-sharing
My taste of Fan Ice.
It was after Eid prayer at grandpa’s mosque exchanging with cash to Mr. Vendor on his bike.
a tear out of the side then slurrrp on it
another tear slurrrp again
not much left this one is special
SCORE ! just enough time remains for it
for my special Fan Ice to not be interrupted as it sails down
down down down to become a meal of this 17-year-old’s past
Bowl of Pounded Yam (left) served with Egusi soup (right) by Osarieme Eweka from Getty Images
My taste of Egusi soup.
It was in my shared apartment following a cooking video tutorial.
a chomp of white poundo then munch on it
another chomp munch again
not much left this handful is special
SCORE ! just enough poundo remains for it
for my special Egusi soup to be cushioned as it wiggles down
down down down to become a meal of this 23-year-old’s past
