God used to be Nigerian!
Yes!
In my naivety
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-Marshal!
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 sixtysomethingish!
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
