ZONE POETICA

( IN MEMORY OF THOSE NIGERIANS FELLED BY THE VIOLENCE THAT ERUPTED IN SOME PARTS OF THE NIGERIA, IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE 2011 GENERAL ELECTIONS.)


DO NOT WEEP FOR US

Do not weep for us as we have gone away
To a distant land
Where you cannot hold our hands
We, who once sojourned on these naija sands,
Can only hope our dirges; will be sung by a national band

Do not weep for us because we gave our best
We did not go down timidly, with arms at rest
For our executioners seemed so possessed
As if in a hurry to accomplish some urgent national quest

Do not weep for us because we are no more
Nevertheless, if you do forget us, we will not feel sore
For being a Nigerian at times
Could be such a big chore
One thing we ask
Let us remain treasured in your hearts’ core

Do not weep for us but sing the national anthem
If it makes you feel any better, convene a gathering that is solemn
However, go beyond the rhetoric of seeking whom to condemn
And address salient national issues in tandem


Do not weep for us and our labours past
We may not be the heroes standing last
Do well to spread the peace message fast
And begin a new Nigerian drama, complete with crew and cast

Do not weep for us because we left in a hurry
But this monstrous event happened in a flurry
And their mercy, we tried in vain to curry
So we bequeath to you, our remains to bury.

Do not weep for us; rather look up life’s golden rule
Though we have lost our place on Nigeria’s stool
Erect structures on things that make us wise, not fools
For we will never forget Nigeria,
The place of our birth; the land of our death.