the urban professor

By Shalom Kasim

this is a fresh semester.
i should teach you something new.
there’s a flier in each of your lockers,
shebibare umukhati
let me know what it says.
                             that isn’t possible
                             that is impossible.
mikanere, i have a date today.
see you all next class.
                            see you, professor.

remind me
will i be paid?
                            you should be paid.
                            shebibare umukhati
that isn’t possible
that is impossible.
thank you, my lovely ones.
im visiting a pal in the big city tomorrow.
see you, class.
see you, professor.

                            see you, professor.
see you, class.
i’m having a small dose of beer. it calms the mind, don’t they say.
                            yes, yes, professor.
that isn’t possible
that is impossible.
i will see you soon.

Shalom Kasim is a Nigerian storyteller. He blogs at  Naija in the Mix: Eccentric Interviews with People from Everywhere, interviewing people from all over the world.