Green and white detribalised our existence Our grumblings are more private than public Alas! Our ears have been listened to dialogues Will writers present a collective opinion? While the nation’s children live together Like children of unknown concubines Fighting for the rights of their mothers Would the writers watch? Men and women in native attire… Continue reading AMALGAMATION OF PAINS by Bada Yusuf Amoo
Tag: protests
THE RIGHTFUL DENIZEN
When allies degenerate into foes, then The heart evicts her denizen When the voice becomes a litany The swaying leaves lose their rhythm The hunter only hunts his bait From its shell, detaches the snail The ground trembles As the couple rumble Everything goes wrong Everybody mourns Life loses her savour Like sauce lacking flavour… Continue reading THE RIGHTFUL DENIZEN
I NO FIT SHOUT
“Na wen u break cook egg U go sabi say some dey carry double yoke” Na im be the best answer I get from oga minister When i ask why draw-draw No fit comot for our ogbono soup Na im i say no need to ask Why e be say the more Naija dey hammer… Continue reading I NO FIT SHOUT
WOE TO THE KEEPER
What cake do we have to eat When even the last of it is thrown to dogs We are crying for it will be a waste It’s gone and we are here Still here, tending to our hunger When will we have cause to dance And say thanks to who thanks is due Ah, it… Continue reading WOE TO THE KEEPER
THIS TOO WILL SOON PASS 1
Our votes we gave you, But, in return, pain you gave us. Hold on, we know time is ticking… This too will soon pass. You ride on our pride with ego, Taking out of our hands unjustly, Acclaimed ‘tin god’ we made you… But, this too will soon pass. As you sit atop, plucking all… Continue reading THIS TOO WILL SOON PASS 1
IF WE WERE ALL PARANOIACS
If only we were all paranoiacs Fighting Boko Haram would not be a crime Dissolving cabals would not be task If only we were all paranoiacs We wouldn’t have gone to church Shouting Hallelujah on Monday morning If only we were all paranoiacs None would store money in a gigantic edifice Romancing each currency with… Continue reading IF WE WERE ALL PARANOIACS
CIVILIAN TO POLICE
Hey, unpretigious friend! You clad in dark uniformed attire, Glued to your gluttonous body like a bird to its feather! As you parade in the lazy pride it gives, Its sour scent troubles civilian stomachs! “Police is your friend!” You chewed and spat the lofty words, Seeking undeserved well-done handshakes! But you haven’t uprooted its… Continue reading CIVILIAN TO POLICE
GREEN LANDS
I’ve watched the sun rise and set, morns and eves Its orange display would hold me captive Blissful breeze emanating from surrounding trees Blows tenderly, never throws sand on me. Those trees, timber farmers murdered for wood Once proud tall trees green with life and food Now unwillingly bow to the axe-men’s rage Silently weeping,… Continue reading GREEN LANDS
MEN IN BLACK
“Park! Park! Park! Wey your particulars?” They bark. Bark! Bark! Harassing us, like a Rottweiler, They spring out from the dark, Pouncing on the innocent Doctor, student, driver, actress… Compounding our daily stress. “Park! Park! Park! Wey your particulars?” They bark! Bark! Bark! But, they seek our colored notes in particular! Vampires, with bloodshot eyes… Continue reading MEN IN BLACK
THE ANTHEM
The anthem reverberates in our head, That we are the leaders of tomorrow. So young and naive, like morons, We waited for the day of manifestation. Alas, they only camouflaged to rule And we marched to their sweet verse, “The leaders of tomorrow”, But tomorrow never comes! We stood by and watched them, Shadowed by… Continue reading THE ANTHEM