Idim Atai,
Bowering Mother Earth,
Life Source,
ever flowing spring,
that nurtures Ekpene Ukim
people, young and old,
their strangers, neighbours and all.
It was gladness to meet you again
after many years of poetic absence.
I am impressed by your resilience,
still coursing despite the many years
of environmental cursing
orchestrated by mindless multinational
capitalists in mining garbs.
I sing to your noble service to a race;
seeing you brings back memories,
memories of childhood and how
I sucked from your life-giving breasts as a boy;
your pure water washed my sweaty and slippery trunk
After a hard day’s play at school.
Long before the metal snake started
spitting out its tasteless liquid,
your living water consoled my thirst when
I ran to you in the heat
of the dry season’s afternoon.
Oh what a joy it was to bathe
in your calm and cool interior,
Locked in your cold embrace,
we were in watery paradise!
We were boys and girls
and we were happy
to play, safe and protected, in your watery court
all sorts of boyish and girlish games.
Your steep hills taught my infant heart
the art of endurance and perseverance,
if I slipped and fell,
your caring foot would support me
when I rolled down your steep incline;
still it was your water that would re-wash
my dirt, cleanse and balm my scalded knees.
Idim Atai,
Like a loving mother, you raised me,
Like a caring father, you disciplined me.
I owe my manhood to your upbringing.
For helping with my laundry those years,
I have come to show you appreciation;
to immortalise you in my art,
sing of your kind deeds to the world,
praise your enduring spirit and grit.
Though contracted by time,
you still serve with love and care.
But let me ask you, Idim Atai,
why do you forbid women from visiting you on Ederebo?
But they must flee and take refuge in Idim Ukpong
Or live to bear the consequences of seeing your sacred face,
The face of Afia Anwan,
regaled in a royal attire,
admiring her beauty with a flashing mirror.
Why are women who birthed twins
never allowed into your watery sanctuary?
Does your contracted body mean that you are dying?
Are you ill or burdened by age?
Maybe you just need a gentle dredging nudge
in order to bloom and blossom again.
I always wonder, amazing stream,
where your source comes from
and where you are going when
you reach Ikot Inyang in Ituk Mbang.
Or do you empty yourself into Akwa Akpa?
If you ever pass by Idu to Ifiayong Beach,
greet Surveyor Iniobong Ekpenyong,
the gentle and youthful leader
of Uruan Inyang Atakpor,
and if your tributaries and arteries run through
Northern rocks,
kindly hail Senator Aniekan Bassey,
a leader-activist beloved by the people,
and who harbours humanity in his heart.
Keep your flowing march and live
again, our ever mobile Amazon.
Live again, dear stream, and flourish,
For your existence is a mark of timelessness.
You have witnessed many epochs in the life of the people:
The wars of the market square,
The bravery of Essien Akpa Ino,
The migration of Ekpene Ukim
people from Imaan,
the boundary wars between Ekpene Ukim and Ikot Edong,
the grand Chiefdom of Obong Etetok Udo Abe,
the heroism of Etubom Udo Iyaya,
the sea exploits of Attat,
the justice which proceeded
from the Court of Obong Umoh Eyo
the humility and hard work of
Chief Asuquo Etim Effiong,
the kindness of Obong Kufre-Abasi Etuk,
and the generosity of Pastor Michael Bush.
Live large again, sweet stream,
and continue your noble duties
of nurturing and raising
many sons and daughters
of Ekpene Ukim,
Who will soon return
from different parts of the earth
to pay homage to your
motherly attributes and ageless grace.