Today As Nigeria Turns 50
by SLaw | October 1, 2010 at 7:19 AM
Today, as Nigeria turns 50 loud
Rat-tat-tats ripped the air at midnight
Bang-bang
Hundreds of them in quick succession
All over the neighborhood candles went out
In windows and
Mothers flung their children
Under beds
Or in corners with raffia
Mats to shield them from
This who-knows-what obtrusion of the sleep
Of the poor
Is it sad or funny or just ironic that
While Some light the sky in celebration
Others cower in fear that
Death has come in form of coup
Armed robbers
War?
Ugly paradox
These sprigs of red
Green and yellow light spitting up into
Dark smoggy sky
Spit…bang! Spit…bang!
And pouring down ash debris on the
Hungry masses below
Today, as Nigeria turns 50
We are one hour into Jubilee and it has started to rain.
Rain is pouring fresh
Pouring, pouring
To water the land and soak the soil.
Keep pouring down
Soak our hearts! Create
Inroads in the dry places,
Find the forgotten places and rain down there!
Rain in every language
Every dialect. Tap-tap against the tin roofs
And thud-thud upon
Red slate.
Maybe the people will leave
Their cowering corners and come
Out and dance in the rain of Jubilee.
Today
As Nigeria turns
50
The sun arises to a calm morning
The people wait in expectation
What will the new day bring?
Comments
Well written
Wonderfully written and expressed. Happy Independence Day.
KenG
Thank you! Wish you a
Thank you! Wish you a wonderful year of Jubilee!
Beautifully crafted
Thanks dear sister....May this Jubilee liberate or Dear native lAnd from its looters mistakenly pronounced as leaders!
Olutosin Oladosu Adebowale (Prevent Child Sexual Assault)
Founder/Project Coordinator
Star of Hope Transformation Centre
512 Road
F Close
Festac Town
Lagos-Nigeria
https://www.facebook.com/olutosin?ref=tn_tnmn#!/olutosin
Amen, Sister!
Amen, Sister!
Jubilee...
My Beloved Sister ~ Thanks so much for Your thought provoking commentary on the 50th Celebration for Your Great Country. Looking forward to our meeting someday real SOON. Warmest regard, Your Sister in Christ Millicent A.
Thanks, for showing
Thanks, for showing solidarity with us, Millicent! Yes, it would be a joy to meet you in person soon :) Have a blessed weekend!
Dear Sister, I pray that the
Dear Sister,
I pray that the joy of celebration of Nigeria's golden jubilee sparks of the spirit of true patrotism in the minds of Nigerians. May we individually and collectively contribute our quotas to the turn around, in all ramifications of the spheres of our great nation.
Celine
Amen, Amen! I join my heart
Amen, Amen! I join my heart with yours in that prayer, Celine.
Go Naija peeps!
Go Naija peeps!
'Harlem: A Dream Deferred' - Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
Like a syrupy sweet?
Hey, LeeLee! Sending some
Hey, LeeLee! Sending some Naija love your way :)