Monday, 2 November 2020
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