THE TEARS OF UDIM ORO

PROMISE ITA OKPOHOUDEME

Friday 16 January 2026

I've suffered for my son Uno Etim Uno

That it may be well with him in life

Even when many fishes

In the stream decided to dived

We've survived with just tapioca

Gone fishing at Eyobiasang lake

Pushed truck at Urue Uda market day

Walking barefoot to Ikpe-Oro.

What was his father Ukpabang then!

But, I breastfed him because I knew

That one day, among my five little children

He will sit on seats

Where he won't be judged on things

But by the content of his character.

Today, I am a stream

Flowing from Udung Abia across the world

I am the lives of springs

The survival of lakes

Uno, obot eyo is your satellite!

The stool of your living mother

Ulor is my breathing,

Where the breeze blows across Ubodung

Set candles over my darkness.

Your brothers are dancing stomach!

Call for mbok and slap their backs to the earth

For I am with you Uno Etim Uno

Oro Ukpabang is wailing for you.

Break the coffins and take your father home!

That he may not be buried alive

For you're a son

Compose your father a song

Ekpu masquerade shall play you its gong

I, Udim Oro shall twerk for you my son.