I Remember
Moments in Time — A Medley
I remember my mom's smile on her first visit.
I remember going home after several years away—the smiles, the hugs, the dancing.
I remember my first trip outside Canada—Vegas. I remember thinking: What fun is there to have under all this heat?
I remember my first car. It took all of my savings to get it. I remember how proud I was.
I remember queuing up in front of BestBuy on a cold morning for the PlayStation 4 release.
I remember the “Drunk in Love” concert—my first concert. I worked in parking while Jay and Bey did their thing at the Winnipeg Bombers Stadium.
I remember my first Tim Hortons. I remember thinking: sweet nectar of the gods.
I remember my first day in Canada. Minus 32 degrees. I remember wondering: why does anyone live here?
I remember when calls were charged by the minute. Every call intentional and terse. But at night lovers lay awake burning the midnight oil, professing their love—because the calls were free.
I remember how much I used to look forward to midterm breaks.
I remember when being cool meant acting oblivious to excruciating pain; from belts, pelts, whips, kicks, konks, trunks, brass and cutlass.
I remember pant creases being all the rave.
I remember inspection day. And the angst that came with it.
I remember Biology. The hot biology teacher.
I remember English. I remember it for the same reason.
I remember social nights. Music (Love is Wicked - Brick & Lace) bouncing across hall speakers. Awkward lists and dares being read. Juniors glad to be there; Seniors in dimly lit corners, practicing biology behind stacked plastic white chairs.
I remember peddling contraband in the dorms. Half cup of garri, two cubes of sugar—50 Naira. A packet of Indomie noodles—30 Naira.
I remember calamine lotion. I remember being drenched in it, after being afflicted with chicken pox. I remember having to go home. I remember being happy to do so.
I remember Agege bread—soft, sumptuous, buttered Agege bread.
I remember food deals. “My Sunday night rice and chicken for your Friday night beans and garri”.
I remember computer lessons. I remember CorelDraw. I remember Marvis Beacon.
I remember Yahoo Messenger, the thrill of logging on to a new message.
I remember teaching my baby sister how to clap.
I remember when 30 Naira was a lot of money. A pack of biscuits, a sharpener, sweets, and there’ll still be leftover change.
I remember feeling sad when we had to kill the chicken. I remember eating said chicken despite my sadness.
I remember bedtime stories on hard mats under starry nights. Stories of tortoise and his many escapades. I always wanted more.
I remember when all it took was holding hands; not kisses, not coitus, but the warmth of another’s hands mangled awkwardly with mine to say, “I fuck with you”.
I remember Saturday morning cartoons.
I remember my first crush. Puff-puff hair, a beautiful smile and phenomenal handwriting.
I remember Ali and Simbi.
I remember running in circles. Running round the school building a few times before tossing my fallen tooth on the zinc roof.
I remember when Mum and Dad stood like giants.
I remember running the sewing machine needle across my finger, just to see what would happen.
I remember riding Okada(bike) through the sandstorms of Kaduna. Save for my eyes, everything was covered in sand.
I remember.
I remember.
I remember.


So beautiful 😊 It's like we all had the same childhood lol
Laughed so hard at “half cup of garri, two cubes, N50”. You really did run a Walter white style operation from alpha house 😂. Do you remember us saving a whole term just to go home and eat bole? Where has all the time gone, man?