Urhobo
Historical
Society
Ộke
By
Ochuko Tonukari
Time
has
a
way
of
doing
the laundry
Takes my pretty Ewu
Underneath the rainbow soap bubbles
It's bleeding away all the hurt
Time has a way of doing the laundry
Washes out all the perfume
Of our warm, jasmine nights together
It's wringing out all the bloom
See my life, hung out to dry
No imprints, no marks, no stains
Cleaned up by my own Ame
Ovie
Nothing remains, nothing remains
My new Amwa is faded now
Comforting, like an old friend
Colors run, and colors fade
Why should I even pretend?
Time has a way of doing the laundry
Each wash strips me threadbare
Dissolving into nothingness
Escaping like a prayer
See my Akpor, hung out to dry
No imprints, no marks, no stains
Cleaned up by the tears I cry
Nothing remains, nothing remains.