African Poet, Stephen Fisayo, invokes father in new warrior chant poem: “KINJAGUNLA”

African poet and nature enthusiast, Stephen Fisayo, popularly addressed as Natur, has invoked his father as a warrior in a new chant poem: KINJAGUNLA, written and dedicated to celebrate his father’s birthday in the new year.

The poet venerated his father as a warlord in the 12-line poem, alluding to past events that passes him as a battle-ready mortal.

Through the poem, the poet expressed his passionate love and fondness for his father, citing how he (the poet) learnt humility from such a supposedly tough persona.

Read full poem below:

KINJAGUNLA by African Poet, Stephen Fisayo

Stephen Fisayo Kinjagunla

I was told by you in the womb of my momma
That you were a gladiator, a warlord who never give up.
When a toddler I was, you struck my mind with the iron
molten by the blacksmith who worked at the entrance
of your lineage’ castle where the shrine made by you
was murdered by you, so your freedom from the iron god
be made known to your children, who grew to claim it by surname.
You tightened the bolts made of abusive words with humility
Having my head ducked to learn from your strength.
So I am here, under the tangelo tree facing the well
To remind you of your heartbeats, in the mane of a lion
When challenged, though humble.