This wilderness falls on my way

and though a wanderer like

Jacob  of old

here I cannot stay.

I remember John the Baptist

who chose for his home

the wilderness;

I remember too

the wild sweetness

that I have tasted there

in these seasons

and the temptation to linger.

But tents are not homes:

here I am a stranger

and the memory of

the sweetness here tasted

shall be my victual

the rest of the way.

So with bare fingers

I wave my farewell:

I shall wear a gold ring

when I get home.

Emmanuel Egbunu, Farewell.