Lekele
Bamileke
Eye adaba
Bamileke

The white cattle egret
You were the song in my childish heart
That made my unbridled lips to sing
And my weak hands to swing hastily through the wind
I leaped so high at your sight
Ran all length of wide fields
Eagerly following your trail

I had been told by my brothers
That you the dove is the bird of God
The bearer of divine wisdom
Around whose claws clustered the fate of men
And each time you left a white spot in my fingers
The smiles of thanks never left my mouth

Though ignorance was weakened with years
My mind toughened with knowledge
And my heart has learnt the ways of the elders

The egret is a bird of bigger symbol
Clothed with white feathers
Configured in ultimate meekness
A bird of transcendental implications

Although the white spots are gone from my hands
But your pureness never leaves my heart

Lekeleke
Bamileke
Eyeada
Bamileke

© Olatuja Oloyede