Pearl and Fire by Damini Awoyiga

I, my ancestor's wildest dreams

Pearl and fire

I, daughter of strengthened soil

Both tough and easy

Both coarse and smooth

Emi omo Ilishan,

Emi omo Ekiti

I, Daughter of water,

I, Daughter of kings

I, descended of phenomenal women

My face, a reflection of their gifts

My hair and limbs,

a benevolent beautiful troubled storm

the colour of the darkest and brightest starry nights

I, a connection to my culture

My mother tongue an effervescent thrum of ele yoruba

I, the gilded vessel from which the language of my ancestors flow

Their ORIKIS arise from my mouth in the form of poetry

Giving life to history

Giving life to thought

Giving Aye

I, my ancestor's wildest dreams

Pearl and fire

I, daughter of strengthened soil

Both tough and easy

Both coarse and smooth

Emi omo Ilishan,

Emi omo Ekiti

I, Daughter of water,

I, Daughter of kings