NIGERIA CRIES

We feel it is nothing
When the country’s image
Slides in the steep slope
Of Kilimanjaro mountain

We feel it is nothing
Even when the country cries
From the pain of corruption
Which was injected into
Its blood vessels

Now the pathway is too rough
And leads to black tunnels
Of ambitious crimes
That have stained our good values and character
Creating confusion worse than death

We feel we are something
While leadership is not accountable
Bribery and corruption are
The mighty model of the elite

We know we are nothing
With our rigged elections
Manipulated by Godfathers
To create false leadership

We know we are nothing
With the virus in our civil service
That misallocates societal resources
To individual possession

We know we are nothing
When education is misshapen
Students are after certificates
By hook or by crook

We know we are nothing
When our youths aspire the elements
Of selfishness, looting and corruption
While patriotism fades away

We know we are nothing
When poverty control mines
For fear of its traps
That malnourish the living soul


Nigeria is crying in the black tunnels
It cries for light
That gives hope for freedom
What is it that lasts?

© Zaharaddeen Ibrahim Kallah