Poet of the week – Emmanuel Chioma Judith

Citizens of this land

Bruised and battered,
Injured and tortured,.
Trapped in turmoil,
Tis the life of citizens of this land.

If given a choice,
Surely, we would not choose this life –
Characterized by suffering and hardship.
Were leaders elected or did they elect?

• Day-old baby abandoned at Kwara dumpsite
• PODCAST: COVID-19: Nigerians In Denial As Number of Cases Skyrockets

Do you sleep with your two eyes closed?
What if it’s time to flee for dear life?
Do you ply the road for leisure?
Oh! Do you wish to leave a void at home?

A land where the old swallows its young,
And the ugly ones refuse to perish,
Do you still dream of leading tomorrow?
Discard that spoon-fed lie I tell you!

Here Joy lives in immerse sorrows,
And Peace wallows in chaotic anarchy.
One nation bound in freedom?
But are these not shackles imposed by religion and tribalism?

Do not look to the heavens for only bullet rains,
And on land? Snakes and monkeys roam,
The sea will only drown out your cries for help,
In this land we were born to die.