Left Paris
Several heartthrobs ago
Past Madrid
Now flying over Marrakech
One fast sweep
Over the sprawling Sahara
And on to the angel
Waiting by the sea
Every wingstep brings me
Closer to your wondrous arms
—
Niyi Osundare is Professor of English at University of New Orleans, USA, and one of the best-known poets from Africa. His works of published poetry include Songs of the Marketplace (1983), Village Voices (1984), A Nib in the Pond (1986), The Eye of the Earth (1986), Songs of the Season (1987), Moonsongs (1988), Waiting Laughters (1990), Selected Poems (1992), Midlife (1993), The Word is an Egg (2000) and Tender Moments (2006). Osundare has also published four plays and essays on literature, politics and culture.