Read Poem: The Harbinger, by Durodola-Oloto Olaore

Setting forth from a place obscure,
Bearing tidings from the world of the ethereal to the natural,
His presence commanding the attention of the ever teeming crowd,
Creating an enthralling, yet ominous aura.

The Harbinger,
Herald of frank realities,
Sentient of the burdening questions of the people.
To some, he is a demigod,
To others, a messenger of doom.

In spite of this ambivalence of the arena,
In spite of the convoluted ambiance,
In spite of this mental contraption instigated by his countenance,
This multitude eagerly awaits his message,
Like the hungry puppy longs for its mother’s milk.

Having gained the people’s unwavering gaze, he begins his clarion call:
“ Hark, people!”, he calls.
“Brace up! For the worst is yet to come;
Likewise the best”, proclaims the Harbinger.

“For I, during my nomadic wanderings,
Have seen the people; children of Mother Universe,
Each embattled with his woe.
The poor striving to usurp his penury,
And the rich burdened with his insatiable desire for more.
And I, upon this epiphany,
Am marveled at how belligerent Mother Universe
Could be towards her own children”, Confesses the Harbinger.

“Hence, I bid thee;
If you shall set sail into the deep of the waters of the world,
You must hoist your mast and launch your jib,
That it may resist the violent waves of the ocean’s wind.
You must get hold of your helm,
Propelling the rudder to lose not its course.
Else, you shall be capsized by the tumultuous torrents of the sea”, he concludes.

With his words resonating deeply in the hearts of this crowd,
And his errand accomplished,
The Harbinger departs,
To return a day unknown.

About:

Hi, I’m Durodola-Oloto Olaore, a 2nd year student of the department of English and Literary studies, University of Lagos. I’m a poet with a published piece on Brittle Paper and other forthcoming publications elsewhere. I’m a reader, a writer, an independent thinker and most importantly, I’m The Colossus Himself!

You can say hi to me on Twitter @olaore_philip, Instagram @iam.colossus