Running Errands in Oregun

I climb the sloppy road. Each step heavier than the last. All ways are slanted round' here. Light-air, light air. It's easy to breathe on this journey. It's always been. Our diet is simple. We eat seeded plantains, tasty water yam mush. I make it to the top where the old red petrol station sits. The attendant fills the keg but not all the way. I hurl it back down the sloppy road Going back is so smooth. Easy peasy. The slope leads me. If not this heavy keg, I would sprint down. The fork at the end of the slope calls me.

I remember Tobi's house, learning what a "tomboy" is and the stinging feeling of relaxer on my hair. The stinging feeling she isn't around anymore.

halfway down the slope. I stop. Make a turn to my right at Mommy Hamzat's store. I'll be home before i know it but I must descend another slope. This one is rocky, bumpy. The nice woman who grinds peppers offers me unripe mangoes. I'll collect them next time, when they'll be sweeter. Avoiding rocks. Each step more careful than the last. Still dragging this keg. Hoping the rocks don't poke holes in it. It is sunny and cool. Clear air all the way to the depths of my lungs. Light-air, light air. This journey is stressful but not hard. Soon I'll be home. I'll get to see her face and hear her laugh. She's tickled that I hurled this heavy thing to n fro. I'll let her know, it was easy. Light work.