I danced with my father 
on the concrete floors in Suralay
where my brothers and I
would lower mirrors from the side 
and watch my father and his friends
doing the latest Lagos rump shaker
then sneak down early morning
like imitators
to feast on half-finished cigars 
and cigarettes butt's  
Sip on spirits and beers knowing
just like beat of the hanging
talking drums if we got caught
it would all end up in tears

I danced with my father 
when brother sola  ski jumped from 
the top of the  bedroom cupboard and
missed the bed like  superman on kryptonite
after we played pyrotechnics
with stolen red topped match box
and set our beds alight

I danced with my father
as he laughed out loud from the veranda
on the day we ran for our lives
chased by the mask man on stilts
shouting juju man 
But his smiles turned 
into the rage of gun shots 
and shouts of o- lay 
the night thieves broke in 
and poisoned our beloved 
dog charlie
but like a super hero dad was there
to protect us as we chased them
 firing with our pistols
with Blackie and Drake in tow
as in the morning
 we retraced the battle with 
our pop guns
in khaki shorts playing catch me 
and shoot me up
in the gardens of Ajaye Street
were we fought regularly 
 snakes, poisonous rats and lizards
With flinted stones and homemade bows

I danced with my father
 the night we received our blessing 
before leaving
the palatial summer of Lagos
 towake up to the harsh reality of a 
box for a house trapped 
in the winter wonderlands
 of the countryside of Kent
 filled with several feet
 of white snow and  
the face of our mother’s discontent 
In truth as we entered all I ever 
wanted to do 
was go back home

I danced with my father 
For a few hours before 
he passed away
eyes wide shut, 
he said of my beloved
 daughter Yana 
she doesn't know me you know
But dad I know you and
I will always remember you.

I danced with my father
On the streets of Suralay
I danced with my father
On the streets of Suralay
Now I won’t don’t with my father
No more

@deemajek2016