IHIMA
Ihima! My beautiful home of great history
Home of hardworking men with birthed honesty
Ihima! I look at the cloud above you and gaze
I see a singing frost, raining glory
I held your sands and watched it slip between my palm
It's happiness tells the next harvest will boom
Let's celebrate the goodness of where our mother lie
Ihima! I asked why the yearly festival holds
Then a passing wave showed me things that enriches the eyes
A good harvest, progress that never cease
God is indeed happy with our home
So again we dress in white and allow our culture reign
We shall bring forth the space and swing into the clothes of heaven
My home is too pure, so dirt mustn't cross our lane
The gift passed by mother is still yielding
Mother's love arouses the hatred, it's understanding
Ihima! Your children are known for bravery
They stand out different in their sovereignty
They drank from the river of life
A passing honey before mother's grave
Ihima, you are the reason I smile, for you are the best.
Ihima! A home of milk and honey
You are the big masquerade that chases evil away
Ihima! I learned how you drove conquerers from Ebira
Your strength has again being acknowledged by the universe
Ihima! Ihima, you are the music that plays in my heart
Coming from you is a joy that has no limit
You are great, a heaven on earth.
Oh Ihima!
The amazing unity between your children is touching
The love you show to others and your people is amazing
Ihima, you are the one Iroko that can make a forest
You reserve your rain while they see your mist as the best
'Owey Erim' join us to sing a song of fortune
Let me rest in the loins of your soothing breast so I will come out and glisten.
©Yusuf Muyibat Avosuahi
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Note: 'Owey Erim' is a festive song with great history. Singing the song is capable of invoking rain and the song is usually sang by Ihima and Eganyi people in Ebira.
A poem of this nature should reveal features unique to the town in question. You mentioned a yearly harvest and a history of war, but these are commonplace. The only standout characteristic is the festive song 'owey orim'. Even at that, other cultures have festive songs as well. So what makes this song unique? Its ability to 'invoke rain'? That explanation came as a footnote!
Hope you get the point?