Groundnut and Garri

Month-end still far
Table still full. Somehow
(Groundnut and garri)

Those first years, pocket humble
Big dreams, small small pay
We turned garri to a banquet
Every twenty-something day
You'd soak it with cold water
I'd bring groundnut in a cone
And we'd sit on the one good chair together
Planning castles on a loan

No shame in a simple table
When the company is gold
We were rich in the only currency
That doesn't rust or fold

Groundnut and garri! (and you)
Feast at the one-good-table, broke
We laughed so loud on empty pockets —
Love was the meat in the joke

Soak it! (share it)
Small pot! (big love)

Soak it! (share it)
Small pot! (big love)
(Groundnut and garri)

Now the fridge dey full, thank God
Proper stew on Sunday flame
But some evenings you still catch me
Soaking garri all the same
You'll appear with groundnut, smiling
No words needed, same old seat
And we eat our humble history
Like the richest kings eat meat

No shame in a simple table
When the company is gold
We were rich in the only currency
That doesn't rust or fold

Groundnut and garri! (and you)
Feast at the one-good-table, broke
We laughed so loud on empty pockets —
Love was the meat in the joke

Truth is, I judge every good thing now
By the kitchen-table test
Would it survive a garri evening?
Would it laugh on an empty chest?
You did. You did it beautifully
Everything since is dessert

Mm. (soak it)
Mm. (share it)
(The one good chair)

Groundnut and garri! (and you)
We still keep the ritual alive
We laughed so loud on empty pockets —
Now we laugh on a full one too

Same chair. Better cushion
Same us

Same chair. Better cushion
Same us
(Groundnut and garri)