*PEN PANTHER*

No naming ceremony when I was born
My father had the wealth but lacks the will
So they called me a name I love to forget

At 12 the priest gave them a word
This boy needs a deeper name
So father called a mammoth crowd
It was on market day in the city of hills
There a grand feast visited the world of men
And he calls me Oloyede
Meaning *The Wise One is Here*

I wasn't the best in my class
So I wonder why some fellas call me *Prof*
But that's the way it is with college folks
I think I prefer *Sapient*
So I crested that on one of my shirt

I belong to an aristocracy of poets
We wine and dine at intervals
As deep calling out to deep
There they recently named me *Pen Panther*
A name I love and intend to use
*ScarredPoet* (Oluwamarc) and *Eazyline* started it
And none of the hundred poets object
Not even *The Fighting Pen* my friend
Or *Theadvopoet* my cousin

Have I any right to call myself a name?
I will think of just one thing
*MYSTERY*
For I do not know who I am

© Olatuja Oloyede
*PEN PANTHER*

PERFECT LIKE THIS

I think life is heretofore fixed
What we do and who we are are scripted
By forces that never craved our consent

Look at the colour of my skin
Or the lines on your palm
The name, the gender, the home, the people, the nation
How many of these things was by choice?

If all flowers were roses
Where will the daffodils grow?
If all stones were gold
Where will those priceless diamonds be?
There is beauty in these differences
It makes the world colourful

The next time you see me
Do not remind me that my skin is black
My hair is tough and kinky I know
Don't accuse my stoutness
I am unique in all my climes
And perfect just the way I am

© Olatuja Oloyede