POETIC WORKS

ODE TO INSECURITY

THE SKIES ARE BLACK, THE EARTH IS RED
I NEED A HELMET TO PROTECT MY HEAD

LOUD EXPLOSION ROCKS HERE AND THERE
I HAVE MY BALLS, I HAVE MY FEAR

NO HAWKERS, NO VOICE, NO FRIEND, NO FOE
NO OPTIONS, NO CHOICE, NO LOSS, NO DOE

NO PRESS, NO COPS, NO EMERGENCY CALL,
THE SUICIDE BOMBERS ARE READY TO FALL

THE MAN I KNEW BECAME THE CORPSE
THE KING STILL WANTS MY VOTE, MY TRUST

THE LAST HOUSE THAT STANDS IN THE MIDDLE STREET
LOOKS LIKE SHELTER, A DEATH TRAP MEET.

IF EARTH COULD SWALLOW AND KEEP MY FACE
I WILL BE GRATEFUL TO MOTHER EARTH GRACE

I LOVE MY LIFE, I LOVE MY PEACE
I HOPE TO SEE THIS WHOLE WAR CEASE

ABOUT THE POEM

The above poem was composed by the author after a pitiable observation of the current insurgent attacks in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in recent times, mostly in North-Eastern and North Western part of the country.

The first verse depicts a metaphoric euphemism which indicates blood shed and total chaos turning bright sky into a dark blanket while the blood of the innocent victims of bomb blast paints the earth red. It’s been followed by an ironical utterance of uncertainty where the author clearly indicated the use of "helmet" as a shield to protect his head, whereas, helmets don't protect victims of bomb blast from getting killed.

The second verse starts with personification followed by a paradoxical statement –“I have my balls, I have my fear.” This tells of how the citizenry, despite the insecurity still have the courage to go on their daily activities and bagging the fear of the unknown danger lurking.

It has become a tradition, that after every attack and chaos, the government in late bid to ensure safety of lives and properties imposes a dusk-to-dawn curfew to restrict movement of people in order to intensify security measures. The city becomes almost deserted. Thus;

“NO HAWKERS, NO VOICE, NO FRIEND, NO FOE
NO OPTIONS, NO CHOICE, NO LOSS, NO DOE

NO PRESS, NO COPS, NO EMERGENCY CALL,
THE SUICIDE BOMBERS ARE READY TO FALL”

 The leaders occupying executive political offices intend to remain in the office. The only way they could do that is if re-elected into the office by the protectorate. One of obligations of the government is to ensure the protection of lives and property, but unfortunately, this is has not been achieved.

“THE MAN I KNEW BECAME THE CORPSE
THE KING STILL WANTS MY VOTE, MY TRUST”

The Author believes nowhere is safe from attack. The suicide bombers are ready to fall anywhere. The common and uncommon places as history will have it recorded have definitely been attack by men of the underworld, all in the name of a fight against western education.

The seventh verse depicts a personified term with the approach of seeking refuge from mother earth, via DEATH, a mild way of dying without been killed brutally and mercilessly.

Finally, there is hope at the end of every tunnel. Thus,

“I HOPE TO SEE THIS WHOLE WAR CEASE”