The Dangers of Fire; Mild or Wild

Remember when we were little and then your mum will try to warn you about fire?

They will make you believe it is so hot that it will burn your hands off.

That ignites your curiosity. You'd want to try it out yourself.

And worse if you're not the first born, your older siblings will just be playing with the same fire you were told is very dangerous. You'll just keep wondering if Mummy was right.

Gently, your siblings will invite you to try it out. Touch it fast and take off your hands. Fast! Just once!

You refuse the offer at first.

They'll invite you again, come on, see me do it. See? It doesn't hurt that bad. Just try it, it will make you a big boy, a big girl. You'll no longer be treated as a child. Just this once and you can confirm for yourself .

And with the speed of light, you try it out with the bulb of the kerosene lamp.

Ouch!

It hurts but just a bit. And it's delightfully warm too. Cool.

You stop for a few minutes to digest the experience and see if it will degenerate into something bigger or worse... Nothing happens.

Your brother smiles at you. Big girl, that's my boy. Oya, try it again, shebi you see it does not hurt. You gently smile and nod your head.

Then you remember Mum, what if she catches you here playing with 🔥? Won't she beat you?

You look at your brother in a questioning manner. He instantly understand.

"Don't worry about Mummy, I won't tell her. Besides, she's asleep now. Just try it again this last time."

Your face brightens up. Yes! We can now play with 🔥!

Welcome, the fire master!

You'll start playing with all the fire you see around, enjoying the little warmth that comes from it. You keep it private from your Mum, she must not know. For you and your brother, it's your little secret.

Days roll into weeks, weeks into months and then on a sunny afternoon, you sneak into the kitchen where your Mum was making joollof rice for lunch.

Yeeeepeeee, it's fire! Your new found friend. Even though you're barely as tall as the gas cooker, you enjoy the vooo vooo vooo sound coming from furiously burning fire.

Gently you look back to ensure you're alone. Yes. We're live on fire networks!

But then there's a problem, you're not tall enough to get to see this one properly. You can only see it from the sides.

You decide to damn the consequences and go for the jugular. Let's get something to climb this table.

Your Mum's stool just happens to be close by. Yes, that'll do just fine.

As heavy as it seems for you, you are able to get it to the side of the 6kg cylinder. Steady, steady, ready. You climb slowly.

Balance. We are right on top of this situation.

It's showtime baby! Let's show them. Who's da boss here?

Like you saw your brother do the week before, you pick the matchbox and bring out a stick. Point it towards the blue flames for a burst of energy.

Yeah boy, it works!

The matchstick catches fire.

You bring it out and watch as it burn .... Gradually it burns from the end down to where your fingers were holding the base.

Drop!!!

And you let go of it. You sure don't want it burning your hand.

Suddenly, you can feel a tingly, hot, searing feeling on your right foot.

Oh my! It's the ember of the matchstick!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mummmmmmmmyyyyyy!!!!

You kick about to get the pain off your foot in all directions .

Before you know it, you've hit the pot of jollof rice on fire. Oh no, sorry, your leg is holding the handle.

And off the two of you goes... All the way down the floor with a hot pot.

Only your cries can be heard now. And the pain is so blinding that you don't even notice your Mum was already shouting for help too trying to get the boiled rice off your body.

Shouts. More shouts.

****************
Shouts. More shouts.

Blackout.
****************

You wake up to a very sharp pain wrapping your body, your face and your leg. Only your back and left limbs are spared.

As you gradually open your eyes, your mum's face is the first you see.

Tears roll down your eyes.

How can you say sorry?

Your heart shouts but makes no connection to your mouth.

"Mummy I'm sorry!

I should have listened to you. My brother tricked me into it."

Looking to your Mum's side, you can see your brother too looking remorseful. No one will ever know he was the one who introduced you to the game of fire. And he will never admit he caused this. He will claim you brought the pot of rice upon yourself.

And trust me dear friend, he'll be right.

Pick My Calls

Hey you.

Yes dear, you.

I've been calling your line now for the last 1 hour. I must have tried a hundred times. At first it was not going through. The network claimed responsibility. Later when it started ringing, so did my heart.

I was hoping to hear your voice from the other side, the voice that dopes my head. The soothing voice that calms my nerves.

I was hoping you'll pick and call me by that name only you invented and use exclusively for me. I wanted my heart to smile again.

All the while I waited with my heart close to my mouth, waiting to say 'hey dearie' like I always do.

The first one rang all through. Wasn't picked. I waited for a while more. Twasn't returned too.

I gave several reasons in your defence. I even lied to none other than myself.

Me told myself to get I to try again. At least, I could rest afterwards and claim I've tried. I did. Now with a relaxed mind. I kept whispering to me that your voice was soon going to replace the beeps.

It kept ringing. ringing. ringing. Till it rang out.

To the right, I thought you must be angry with me. I reasoned around it; the last time we spoke, the promises I made all over again, the apologies I made right on the spot. I had sworn to never allow it repeat itself and you replied with a smile.

The authenticity of the smile was confirmed by attempting to trace your neckline. You shuddered like you always do... My thing with you.

To the left, I thought you might be gone. The decision to finally leave me that has always been ringing in your heart loud enough to have been uttered must have suddenly engulfed you so well. The envelope might have restricted your hands from swiping right.

Oh no.

It can't be.

Not now. Not today.

I can't lose you today. This heart can't be broken today again.

The wound has only just begun to heal. I was just beginning to forget the past. The fatality with which you attacked my ailing heart when it mattered. The horror of discovering the lies you were brazenly displaying. The truth you were boldly hiding.

I forgave but the Mark was just beginning to erase in bits.

And now, your strength is finally allowing you go? Go away? From me?

The joy of having you back was just appearing after all the awkward moments of pretending that nothing happened.

Just now that your image in my head was beginning to come clean with your clothes on and your smiles bright.

Just now that my head was just forgetting the finite details of your detailed account of how deep you miss him being with you.

Just now.

Just now that the courage to love you is rising once more like a dodged fighter beaten to the grounds but with the winning determination.

My brain has been on fire.

I can't even think it through anymore.

Furiously, my fingers keep dialing. The phone keeps ringing. You're yet not picking.

I'll keep wondering here. I would be wrong I pray. You'll be alright I hope. My initial excuses would turn out to be correct. And my guesses of you forgetting your phone somewhere will be the truth. And at the end, I'll hear your worried voice saying

"Hello Kabiesi".

In Memory of Department of Corrections

Dear Department of Correction guys,

Oyinloye Oluwashola Abolarin Tomisin Joshua Emeka Samuel Onyekwere Philip Emmanuel Isaiah Timmy Duntoye Oluwashina, Pius, Storm, Abimbola Olusoji Johnson, Olaoti Yimika Otunola, and all whose names I might not have mentioned here that once upon a time passed through DoC: very importantly the ladies and the baes and all our wonderful neighbors especially Baba not forgetting all our loyal friends.

We've been through thick and thin. We've been through surplus and lack. We've been through war and love. We've been though times and season and I dare say; we won!

We might had our shortcomings and longcomings. We might made irreparable mistakes. The fact remains that the journey and the process of our becoming were sweeter than what we can just overlook in the history of each of our lives. The adventures, the thrill of trying it out, the satisfaction that comes from executing sometimes "evil" plans, the pain that comes from failures and the excitement that comes from achievements, all these we enjoyed... together.

The bond of our oneness has been tested and tried through various degrees of straining circumstances. Our Unity has been threatened by our inherently defiant natures itself. It all made us stronger and made the "us" stronger too.

You are never permitted to do anything alone in Department of Corrections. You can not eat alone, drink alone, laugh alone, watch films or use your system or phone alone, smile alone, enjoy alone, cry alone, be sad alone, dance alone, sing alone or play alone. Damn it, you are not even permitted to date your bae alone, she's "our" bae. You can never be alone in your fight, never alone with your thoughts, never alone in your plans and sure never alone in the executions. If there was one thing to do, you don't need to look back, guys are behind you solidly. Don't worry about whether it's right or wrong, we will discuss that later. Just don't enjoy this moment alone.

Guys, from us, I've learned not humility but equality. I've learned not how to love but what love truly means. It is never enough to share if you are not sharing more than you can. You guys are amazing. You guys are awesome.

Every single day away from "home" makes my heart grow fonder of those sweet moments... Sweet moments.... Sweet sweet moments. The early morning fights for water, puffpuff and bathroom space. The late evening sit-outs by the roadside discussing any mad issue that comes along. The thrill of just letting out steam through loud cries and shouts.... I just pity our Baba again sha. That man really tried. Now I get why he was always so angry with us yet cherished us.

"Nobody knows tomorrow, Only Eledumare".

I'm glad I met wonderful talents in persons of you guys. Emeka and Shina the dancers, Pius too brain ignite. Pastor Shola, Teejhay, Saintolar the wonderful musical crew. Philips, the great schemer and businessman, so wonderful in bringing ideas to reality.

Coach Soji who won medals while in school as both a coach and a player; talk about greatness in the making. Coach Abimbola, your life is an enigma, ma worry, them no fit understand. They don't believe in you now, they will form familiarity later. If there is anything I'm grateful forever for, it is meeting Idowu Olu through you. Never shy, always ready to attack. My religionist, dark arts ti take over... My astute businessman, it will all pay off in the end. Just keep at it.

Teejhay, my padi, the photoshop guru who took me on my first steps in Photography and photo editing; this is a wonderful planner when it comes to events and planning surprises. My journey with these shooting stars started with you bro. All the way back to C&S college. Resilient, tough, unyielding, brainy, quick, smart, always quick to build up the gang, mustering strength from grouping. A leader, an inspiration. You are a living photoshopped picture of Joshua. Always fighting wars, conquering territories, yet courageous to the bones. A daring friend and companion like him can make you get to the extra mile you never imagined. Nations will celebrate you, men will honour you, your life will shine brightly like the glow effect in photoshop. I don't need to tell you this but Tomisin, don't give up. The path ahead will lead you to greatness, I'm so sure of it.

Emeka, the silent powermonger; I'm yet to meet another guy who can so well predict ladies' acts with so many amazing plans for "just a date". A literary warrior with so many lovely articulate s-words to his arsenal. Your silent skill in dealing with giants and taming lions and befriending wolves while gently building up strength is something else. Everyone has something to learn from you. I've seen you smile, I've seen you dance, I've seen you act, I've seen you skate, I've heard and seen you sing, I've seen you angry, I've seen you mad, I've seen you cry, only that I'm yet to see you act stupid. Our Michael Jackson, Always with plans to execute. A guy who's got the back of anyone anytime anywhere. Always with a way out. Always with a helping hand. I'm sure I will see you flying one day. You deserve the wings.

Storm, though relatively new have been able to clearly put it to my face; business plans are a dime a dozen. Executing them is what counts and what pays. Now I know the mark of true friendship, being able to sleep beside a person who can't sleep without listening to some eerie music... eeew. I guess the way ahead of us is long enough.

Shina; my very wonderful former enemy. Can a guy argue better than you do? Always armed with facts, figures and files. Your level of reasoning and awesome creativity is 1 light year ahead of those who belittle you. Wonderful artist, smart composer, sharp dancer, streetly skater; words will fail me to explicate you to yourself. Very consistent, with the longest standing sweet relationship. You deserve the love you get. Though very crazy, I still love your ways bro. I still wish to learn some self-loving from you.

Pius Pius. Nwafor, my brother. Hmmm, very dangerous, very very very dangerous. Very artistic, with that tingling singing sound coming from those trained throats. Slayer of Theokoles, You are highly favoured. Your ways always very unique yet surprisingly effective. We can argue all day long about how to do it right and not do it at all but you, You don't need to do it right but you still do it anyways and get the deserved desired results. Though, I still want to knack some silence into you during those long sweet night calls of yours, I learned from them. Keep up the good works, it will work out.

Saintolar; my padi from primary school through secondary school and still here. Your current trail of success is due to one thing and one thing alone.... You always seek avenues to get better. I've never seen you stay on the same spot year-on-year. Keep going at it. The future holds something surprising for you. like the 3 wise men from the east, we have seen your star from a far. Though it tarries, wait for it.

Pastor Oluwashola. Hmmm. Father. Baba. Agba ti o binu lomo re npo. A father who seldom gets angry is surrounded by a lot of children. What can I say to make them understand how loving, how caring, how fatherly you are. You know the roles of a father and you so perfectly act them out so maturely. A wonderfully gifted and talented musician like you have no place in the crowd, you will shine brightly as the stars. Great footballers are not known by skills, they are known by goals. Your giving attitude still continues to amaze me. Meeting your awesome and ever-welcoming parents and loving siblings made me understand a little about why you can be so so so so hmmmm, so fatherly. I miss those times we gist privately. I smile when I remember all those late night trips to and fro our friends' places. So sweet a voice, so handsome a face, so manly yet so gentle. You are a rare make.

i don't wanna extend it over to our other guys. Save that for later. All our new guys, I cherish you. Kunle, Jude, Sadex, our ladies, Hikheoluwa Tiana Dibs.....

I wish I have something bigggggggggg to give you guys each as a present to say Thank You for passing time with me. Don't worry, your well deserved successes will be my God's way of repaying you back as rewards for your labour of love.

I Miss You Dearly.