WE often forget the saying that’s wise,
One man’s poison is another’s prize,
We judge based on our personal taste,
Without knowing what others have faced.
I love the Igbó okpa, but abacha is not for me,
My mom dislikes okpa, but adorns abacha with glee,
We both relish Yoruba ewedu and amala,
But gbegiri and tuwo shinkafa is not my gala.
I’m neither Igbó nor Yoruba but a prideful Isoko
We enjoy our unique flavoured ukọdọ that makes us go loco
It may not be to your liking, that’s fine,
Our differences make us unique, and that’s divine.
Banga or Owho soup with the Atlantic smoked salmon and prawns,
Using Ózi as the all-time balanced diet base, my taste buds fawn,
Is an Isoko delicacy, the Òshâré’s pleasant love charm,
A savoury cuisine to be enjoyed without any harm.
Sushi doesn’t appeal to my taste,
And even though Chinese cuisine is not a waste,
The ízwó-ótör with slightly burnt éméírí-ëbä and ûbiêrë, I can’t resist,
A fast-food delight from the Isoko space that’s often missed.
Don’t talk to me about burgers and pizza,
If you haven’t tasted Ólë and Òfígbô-édi with éméírìn twåtó
Maybe Îróró vïevie and ègú-ôlë is the magic,
But Õkpórókó, èrō in the fraternity of banga, is the crown jewel and fantastic.
We can’t help what we savour and love,
Our palates are shaped by our culture and geographical mystique,
So don’t call me local, we’re all the same,
It’s the distinctiveness that makes us unique, it’s not a shame.
What’s heaven to some, may be poison to others,
That’s the truth, and it’s okay to have different choices.
I’m proud to be Òmótë Isoko, with my own unique taste,
So, let’s celebrate our diversity, a work of art, it’s not a waste.
~~ PRECIOUS I. AMUKPO ESQ.
