Yes!
In my naivety
as a tiny tot!
Birds chirped like birds,
rats squeaked like rats!
Never did I need bother;
what to eat
what to drink
what to wear!
World revolved around church
as a result of indoctrination
wanted to float on air
since devil was underneath
and, God with angels
resided in the skies!
Military men were presidents:
Gowon
Bokassa
Mobutu
Amin
Selassie
Loved Selassie
He looked field-marshallic
in poise and gait!
So, I became a
Field-Marshall!
Brusquely
was I awakened
to inevitability
of,
from my infantile dreams,
death!
A distant uncle passed on;
Following my granny
we went mourning
He was sixty-something-ish!
Yet!
No refreshments were served
People believed, then,
You’re only ripe to die
When you clock three score plus half!
Fast forward to adulthood;
Now I understand
what my people mean
when they say
you can’t get old without
witnessing unfathomable things!
As we move from independence;
More clueless our governments
and people become!
No wonder
my people’s translation
of Independence
to infliction of pain!
Wait for this;
Infliction of death
Yes!
Dying like the dodo;
while preparing for Christmas!
as 122224
