I'll fly without wings
oh! I'll fly without wings
at the rapture,
I'll ascend like Jesus did
oh! I'll ascend like Jesus did
at the rapture,
I'll wear immortality
oh! I'll wear immortality
at the rapture,
I'll defy gravity
oh! I'll defy gravity...........
Then, I'll see Jesus
in the clouds, in the air
at the trumpet sound
in the clouds, in the air
by the voice of the arch-angel
in the clouds, in the air
and forever be with him
in the clouds, up in heaven!
At the rapture,
people blissful
joy unspeakable
new world appearing
suffering ending
at the appointed time.
At the rapture,
death defeated
paradise at last
supper of the Lamb
crowns of honour
eternity beckoning!
For a certain people
people who believed
people righteous
of which I am one
and perhaps you too....
Cos at the rapture,
I'll fly without wings
oh! I'll fly without wings
at the rapture,
I'll ascend like Jesus did
oh! I'll ascend like Jesus did
at the rapture,
I'll wear immortality
oh! I'll wear immortality
at the rapture,
I'll defy gravity
oh! I'll defy gravity...........
Then, I'll see Jesus
in the clouds, in the air
at the trumpet sound
in the clouds, in the air
by the voice of the arch-angel
in the clouds, in the air
and forever be with him
in the clouds, up in heaven!
At the end of the poem, only a few clapped. Most of the youths were in utmost trepidation. They were reminded courtesy of the poem that most of them were not ready for that great day of rapture. This time, the elders were awed. This young man is certainly not a lay christian but a studious one. He surely must be invited to a meeting with the general congregation.
Meanwhile, the Masked Poet joined the youths to participate in other items on the programme's order, leaving only after the close of service at about 9pm. As he left, he thought he learned many more godly values, but for the youths who besieged him as he made for his car, exhausting his business cards...
CHAPTER 11
Hurray!!!
Prisca weds Ojubi!
This was a marriage; actually not even a marriage as yet, just a proposed one which was already certified lost to the grim reaper, but which now holds miraculously, because the Masked Poet insisted against the grim report. Since, this couple have done nothing but gong abroad the Masked Poet's timely poetic intervention. So, on this glorious day, many came to see the bride, celebrate the couple, and of course, have a close view of the Masked Poet. However, the Masked Poet had informed the couple it was their day and wanted them to be the focus of the celebration. Thus, he would perform low key, but would render a good poem all the same. He refrained from being the master of ceremonies, maintaining his utmost joy is Prisca is alive and he contributed to it; that worths more than a soul impacting poetic performance. He also informed Ojubi he has decided to center the poem on the bride considering the special circumstances surrounding her availability for the marriage, which Ojubi gladly accepted and assented to as truly, so far as he is concerned, this wedding is actually all about celebrating the most loving woman in his life.
At the reception, he had his time. He titled the poem: 'LIKE A WEDDING BRIDE.'
Like a wedding bride,
this is the day of my life
like a wedding bride
the ocean waters can't compare
to my quantum of felt joy
as I situate I'm the middle
of my past and my future.
now, about to make products
once, in my parent's grasp
now, stepping into their shoes.
Oh the joy of freedom!
Oh the fulfilment of desire!
every woman's heart desire
culminating on a wedding day!
So, get my make up ready
paint me a gorgeous beauty
then, bring my golden jewelries
deck me a royal princess
next, produce my wedding diadem
crown me the latest bride!
I'm so amazing
I'm so inviting
that's how l look now
that's how l stand out
(Singing)
And I'm glittering, glittering
and I'm shinning, shinning
shinning like a wedding bride
Like a wedding bride,
the world stands still for me
like a wedding bride,
the feeling is so unbelievable
in the sea of many admirers
as l become a reminiscent
to the aged and the married.
Once, were they wild flowers
now, but only tamed ones
once, without a single care
now, with burdens and worries.
Oh the wit to dare!
Oh the responsibility plunge!
The responsibility of wedlock
commencing on a wedding day!
So, bring my flowing gown
let the base cover the earth!
then, get my shiny high heels
hope the sparkle's blinding?
next, cover me with a veil
so gold envies my value!
I'm so enchanting
I'm so attractive
that's how l look now
that's how l stand out
(Singing)
And I'm glittering, glittering
and I'm shining, shining
shining like a wedding bride
Like a wedding bride,
I am the talk of the town
like a wedding bride,
my eyes roll in the pleasure
of rainbowy ambiences all around
as l evoke deep desires
in the bosom of many maidens.
Now felicitating, celebrating
next, to be celebrated, felicitated
now rallying undivided for me
next, it will be their turn.
Oh the stir of jealousy!
Oh the perpetuating act!
of marriage's eternal institution
incipient on a wedding day!
So, invite my bridal train
aren't they so colourful?
then, get me a flower bouquet
of the best from paradise
reminiscing a perpetual echo
I'm so charming
I'm so enrapturing
that's how l look now
that's how l stand out.
Please splurge them on me
splurge them on me
splurge the ribbons on me
splurge them on me
splurge the flowers on me
splurge them on me
splurge bountifully
splurge them on me
splurge lavishly
splurge them on me
oh splurge me with goodness
it is my season
splurge me with celebrations
it is my time
splurge me with the very best
like it's now or never
splurge me, the finest quality
like there's no tomorrow!
(Singing)
Cos I'm glittering, glittering
cos I'm shining, shining
shining like a wedding bride.
The Masked Poet looked up from a poem he was composing in his office as the door creaked to an opening by a client. He was a young man in his thirties, of average height and light skinned.
'You are welcome to the Emotional House sir, please have a seat.' He triggered the pleasantries routine.
'My man! Thanks a lot. But truth is, I am actually welcomed to meet the Masked Poet; to that, l welcome myself!' The young man reciprocated jokingly.
Both offered a friendly round of laughter.
'The Masked Poet is in the Emotional House you know.' The Masked Poet resumed.
'And there is no Emotional House without the Masked Poet, you know that as well, don't you?' The young man retorted amicably.
- You got me there. So, what can l do for you sir?
- Yes. You see, you don't know me just as I've never known you physically until now. But I know you in some other way.
- Hmmmnnn.........Those are nice lines, are you by any means a poet?
- Don't patronize me please (laughing). You've not asked me what other way l know you?
- That's simple; probably by my poems l guess.
- Exactly.
- So, you have come in contact with a poem of mine?
- Not just your poems, but with the effect of them.
- Really? Hope they are the positive ones?
- Absolutely, in fact, more than absolute.
- Hmmmnnn..........That's nice to hear. I feel like l am tickled in the most sensitive places!(laughing). And by a woman you know.
- (Laughing) Then you totally deserve it. You see, Masked Poet, I'm actually here to thank you. You may not have known, but you have brought unquantifiable joy to my life.
- Wow! Is that so? This is getting interesting, please gist me.
- Just what I'm about to do. I think my relationship was on the brink just before you stepped in. I don't know if you can remember a certain lady who sought for a poetic advise from you sometime ago regarding the plight of her loving fiance few months before their wedding?
- The lady whose fiance lost his job?
- Exactly.
- So you are the fiance she spoke about?
- Yes.
- So, what happened exactly?
- l still believe if you didn't advise her, she would have quit the relationship, but whatever inspired you to write those poems with the accompanying advise as she later showed and told me respectively, must have surpassed the ordinary, it was simply preternatural because it drastically changed her mentality and plans.
- First, how do you know she would have quit?
- She is not one given to hardship. She is the type who aspires for a hardship free, comfortable life all the time.
- A material girl?
- Not really but still, unable to bear hard times. This has been so over the years.
- Then, what attitude of hers followed her visit to the Emotional House?
- To the Masked Poet please.
- There you go again(laughing).
- Well, you can't believe what she did: from her boutique business which l opened for her as a pastime or so l thought then, she surprisingly withdrew enough money to take care of the traditional marriage and handed it over to me, insisting she wants to prove to me she has given me her consent before the world knew, and circumstances persecuted in turn, believing it will only be a while before things normalized.
- Are you saying you are now married?
- Happily. The white wedding will come up when I find another job but as it stands, we are husband and wife.
- My oh my! This is incredible! It has surpassed my expectations.
- Not only that. She is humbly footing the family bills. You know, ever since, l never knew she had so much money from that boutique!
- What more can l say then? Congrats man!
- Thank you more Mr. Masked Poet. Certainly l owe you one. You can save a relationship; the Masked Poet can save a relationship!..........
CHAPTER 12
'Oh my beauty queen!
do you know l love you dearly?
your beauty is a magic wand
constantly giggling my sensitivities
making me, a moron of mesmerism
translating me, a love vegetable
holding me, a quiescence of fantasies
the fantasies of your charm.
Surely you are the canopy
in the flora of femininity
I am that big iroko tree
to scare away venal sawyers
you are that comely gazelle
brimming innocence and naivety
I am the benign lion-king lover
to fight off lurking marauders.
Give me your love, oh my love
and I'll soothe your emotions
and lift your battered psyche
and rescue your trodden charisma.
Oh my love, oh my love........'
'My love, my love, my love, embrace me,........'
Suddenly she awoke; it was a dream. Delight was almost kissing the Masked Poet after she had ran into his hands like a much longed for, but ever slipping lover, upon the Masked Poet's poem, only for the dream to fizzle out to reality. It was the wee hours of the morning after her birthday and invariably, her fight with Victor. Before sleeping off, while lying on the bed and staring up in a daze, she realized her greatest pain that night was she had to imagine what the Masked Poet probably looked like that evening and his gait while reading out those poems. What was his mask's colour? What did he dress in? A suit or a traditional outfit? She wondered. She remained in fantasy land until her eyes were forcefully closed by sleep.
Her whispers of gesticulations from the dream woke Gem who laid beside her after she thought it wise to comfort her subsequent upon her fight with Victor by spending the night with her. As she sat up, Gem asked:
- Girlfriend, you were whispering in your dreams; what is it all about?
- I saw him.
- Saw who?
- The Masked Poet.
- What? In your dreams? Delight, have you been thinking of this guy?
- See, he looked so macho. He was dressed in a white suit and wore a sweet, smooth, sky blue mask as he looked into my eyes and said the sweetest unscripted poem of my life..........
- Delight!!.......
- He professed his love for me, showering with beautiful praises, promising to protect me, soothe my shattered emotions...........
- What is wrong with you Delight???
She jerked her as she said the last words. It seemed to have some effect as she stopped and remained silent, obviously embarrassed by her conduct. She then, just stared on.
'So you have feelings for this Masked Poet eh?' Gem inquired. 'I mean, has he already taken over your thoughts this much?'
She ignored Gem's questions as she laid on her back again.
'Don't worry honey, ' she told Gem. 'It was just a dream. Lets get back to sleeping.'
- Delight, l am..............
- I said lets get back to sleeping! It's night; a time for sleeping, not arguments.......
- A time for dreaming too..........you know, sweet dreams like that.
- Don't be a petty nuisance, you are disturbing my sleep. Keep all your arguments and questions for the shine, not the nocturn.
- Indeed!......... Waxing lyrical.......... Particularly, sounding poetic!.........mtchhhwwww............. Victor was right after all. You this girl.........
She was already fast asleep.
Few days later, her click of closest friends came to see her having heard of the unsavoury fight of ironic proportions on the night of her birthday celebrations between her and Victor. Of course, the informant and unofficial instigator of others cum convener, was none other than the highly suspectable Gem. For some information, they are a click of five friends. Thus, the visiting pack on this day were Gem, Joanna, Beatrice, and Amaku.
'How could a night of great celebrations and jubila
tions still carry with it such unmagnetized elements of distaste and fights?' Beatrice probed.
'I just hope he didn't lay a finger on you?' Amaku joined.
'But what really turned that sweet night to such a sour one?' Joanna slotted in.
'It was the Masked Poet o!.........' Gem exclaimed rather loudly.
'What? The Masked Poet? I thought he added flavour to the night, when did he also turn a warfare instrument?' Asked Joanna.
'Delight talk na! Aren't you going to say anything?' Gem propped.
'Say what?' Delight asked. 'Are you not the gossip in chief? Oya,* complete what you have started na, or is it you've forgotten some of the melodramatic scenes?'
'Hold your fire madam!' Gem retorted. 'I am not a fighter like a certain
couple, neither do l look like Victor or even the Masked Poet.'
'Delight sweetheart,' Amaku soothed. 'Please calm down. Your friends are here to comfort you and help you as well; don't see us as antagonistic. What really happened that night?'
'Well,' Delight began. 'Did any of you notice anything odd about that night? Anything?'
'What are you talking about? It was a perfect night so far as I could see.' Joanna asserted.
- You didn't notice a thing about his performance?
'Oh! You mean his invisibility?' Amaku recollected.
- Yes my dear: his invisibility.
- I thought it was a problem at first, but the guy's splendid performance shone so brightly and made you center stage of it such that it not only overshadowed, but totally overwhelmed the issue of his invisibility. No one remembered it afterwards. Oh! Except Delight; perhaps.
'So his invisibility was an issue to you right?' Joanna queried.
'Yes it was, or shouldn't it have been?' Delight got back at her. She knew Joanna was up to a censuring game.
- For me, it wasn't an issue.
- I don't get it......... Could you have invited a Michael Jackson to your show to perform invisibly? Who does that?
- Excuse me please, the Masked Poet is no Michael Jackson! Don't
get into baseless comparisons.
- And he is worth more than a Michael Jackson to me. That is why your friend Victor, whom you always support, went and arranged for a faceless performance with him without my knowledge or consent.
- Delight you have come again o. You and this Masked Poet; every time he shows up, you fight with Victor. What is it na? I don't
*oya(Yoruba = quickly)