To The Memory Of Aunty Toriomo
Rachel Oluwafisayo Aluko
Last night Jennifer lost the grip
On home, family, marriage, and kitchen
“I’m leaving this marriage,” she said to me
With dreary wet eyes; a brazen look
I hushed her into a quick silence
A frantic glance at her and behind
“You know she won’t give you the chance-
To leave your children and kitchen.”
“Who?”
“Aunty Toriomo, of course”
Jenny’s laughter gave me the shivers
Is she running mad?
Depression, I know, is rife in her marriage
It triggers madness… but God forbid!
“She died some years back, just before I got married.”
“Who?”
Aunty Toriomo of course!
A new wave of shivers at the news,
Aunty Toriomo died and I never knew
A popular dame of exceptional virtue
Gone in silence, and all too soon!
Mixed feelings
Resignation to fate
Girlfriend leaving
Reversing the faith
Gone are the days of aunty Toriomo
A woman of great wisdom-
Skilled in keeping mothers with their men.
Once upon a time she lived
My aunt, I think, she ought to be
Unsure how the family tie binds us
But she’s a relation for sure
As she seldom leaves our house
Though heard of often; never seen
A dexterous woman- resolving couples’ fights
She must be mother’s dear sister of younger years
Mother never stopped singing her praises
“I remained in this marriage with him- just because of Toriomo”
Though not social, but full of impact
Often mentioned, but never seen
I guess she’s challenged- deaf or maimed
Not sure of her case
A name more visible than the being
That night I say, quite young but sharp
Noise prevailed in our quarters as usual
Couple’s fight!
Iya’Beji was having her turn
At calling husbandman useless.
Women dragged her into our home
Mother leading the procession to aunty
Broken lips
Tattered blouse
A raving woman describes her best…
Wait a minute-
She knows the name
Toriomo; my dear sweet aunt.
Mama Aduke, mama Akwudo
Mallama Bello, Iyawo Pastor Richard
Leading women in our quarters
All married to useless men
Defied the hurdles of marriage, persevering with much resilience
All because of mother’s sister-
Toriomo; my dear sweet aunt.
Growing with children of our quarters
Different times bequeath our rising
Days of playing with dolls and balls
Gift of fathers from UTC
Festive seasons to show off dresses
Bought by fathers at Kingsway Stores
New school years to more fees
When fathers are paid at work by government
Eating daily
Growing steadily
Fathers paying bills in anger
Fighting couples
A common scenario
Baggage out
Baggage in
Boxes thrown and strewn about
Toriomo once and always prevailed
Waters now have passed under the bridge
Some years before I started this story
Eggs; now hens, or cocks they say
Now I know my dear sweet aunt!
Toriomo-
But gone too soon!