THE GHOSTS

The ghosts are not
only those listening to
the paen of worms below
Those who rejoice
over the demise of their
crown are also the ghosts.

The ghosts are not
only those whose sirens
wail in the boulevards,
Those dinning with
the shadows of yesterday
at the crossroads
are also the ghosts
For they bear
the death-mark
of their dying nation.

The ghosts are not
only those who paint
churches, mosques
and markets red,
Those who supply
them sticks to beat
the drums of death
are also the ghosts.

The ghosts are
not only those with
colourful celebrated funerals,
They are not only
those whose corpses
were not seen after
the Baga’s massacre,
Those who live
to tell the tearful tale
are also the ghosts.

The ghosts are not
only the deformed amputees,
without home, without crutches
Not only the pregnant
children of the streets
whose corneas are shrines
of flies and maggots,
The ghosts are also
those who share bed
with lunatics
at midnights.

The ghosts are not
those who store
their nation’s notes
in foreign barns,
Not only those
who leave the shores
of their nation
in search of healing,
Not only the
plane crash casualties,
The ghosts are also
the orphans whose names
are written annually on the
scrolls of polio’s death toll.

We are also the ghosts
for we are surrounded
by tributaries of treasures
but bathe with embers of misery.

*Inspired by JP Clark’s ‘The Casualties’ and Malik’s upcoming collection title

Written by: Madu Chisom Kingdavid
Edited by: Kukogho Iruesiri Samson