Hands

 

STAY ALIVE

 

Stay alive

to see the flowers bloom

to watch the sun rise

to see the rainbow

after this torturous storm.

 

Stay alive

to hear the birds sing

and to wince at the roaring markets

to hear your lover whisper

the words, "I love you".

 

Stay alive

to smell the sea

and the sweet fragrance

of a baby's powdered skin

to inhale the sweet aroma

of freshly cooked stew.

 

Stay alive

to taste the sour-sweet nectar

of agbalumo come next season.

to relish ofe onugbo, ofe nsala

and obe gbegiri and ewedu

 

Stay alive

to feel the gentle touch of the wind

the fingers of a friend

upon your cheeks.

to feel the warm embrace of life.

 

Stay indoors

Wash your hands regularly

Corona will leave soon.

Stay alive, my friends.

We shall overcome!

 

THEY'LL COME AGAIN

 

They'll come again

Like death with a sickle

Like a plague with pus

They'll come asking

For a chance to ruin your dreams.

They'll come with sweet words,

Words like candy-coated venom

The Tempters will come in 2023

But when you are about to fall

Remember the fallen of 2020

They'll come again

Like termites with steel mandibles

Like a scorpion with a thousand tails

They'll smile and wink at you

But their lips hide lethal fangs

And their winks are but triggers

That will open fire on your future

The Tempters will come in 2023

Just when you are about to fall

Remember the fallen of 2020