The archive Id-El-Kabir (A day of peace) Poem by Bilkisu Yusuf · 1993 A day of peaceA day to pleaseFestive air, a well-fed ramPenury put many in a jamBeyond reach is a small ramBeing no season to eat hamFor unclean meat brings harm. For the poor no meat to fryHopes shattered and children cryPoverty made […]
The archive Citizen at three Poem by Bilkisu Yusuf · 1993 A survivor in times so hardStaying sane when others go madAvoiding the slinging of mudIn pursuit of truth all the sameDistortion of facts media must tameBefore the nation becomes lame. May the closure bell never ringFor Citizen no axe shall swingEditorial courage it shall […]
The archive Conscience Poem by Isyaku Mohammed Aboki · 1993 The ground burned with furyScorching the last of the greeneryBlazing heat defying all fortsLizards scampered into comfort!Men retiring under mango treesGulping fura da nonoOut there he stoodStaring with bizarre lookBelly groaning for foodSkin burnt as sootExcept for the leg in a tattered bootConscience!You cryptic oneWhere […]
The archive KanKan Poem by Muhammed Kamil · 1992 There’s a cityHardly beautiful atFirst glance,With no current atThe flick of a switch,Or paved streets withRaving cars,With a soul far deeperThan the wells its waterSprings from. Its people congenial andWarmly welcoming; selfReliant and assured. WhereIslam is dearly loved; whatBetter place could a travellerMake home. Muhammed Kamil […]
The archive The Longing Poem by Chike C. Aniakor · 1981 Fill, Oh! fillmy calabash with waterto drain off unfilled dreamslost in the wetnessof silent hopes and desires;Return you eagle of the nightbringing from the bosomof the cloudsnew hopes, new dreamsthat my calabash may nowfill to the brim,that tales of hungermay now become talesof laughter,that […]
The archive Such a pity… Poem by Bilkisu Yusuf · 1992 Such a pity we are all blind,Ungenerous, shunning others witha blind,Alwayswicked, hatefulasifbound. Such a pity we are all one,But unneighbourly as if in a pro-miscuous barn,Yet lovers of progress, peace allround. Such a pity the world is a stage,As bad actors we are all […]
The archive Teachers’ pledge Poem by Adamu Muhammadu Nababa · 1994 As we teachers teach with serious-nessOur students learn with eagerness. As we teachers teach by no chasingOur students learn with much ease. As we teachers wish our studentswellOur students wish us same as well. As our students ask of so manyquestsWe teachers answers all […]
The archive Martyrdom in Mecca Poem by Moh. Adamu Nababa · 1991 In the morgueI stand witness,I stand witness along with thosedemanding blood for blood,Women volunteers all,Calling for revengeFor the blood spilt at the thresholdof God’s House of PeaceThis House of Peace has been hit byscorching simoon windsPlowing form the turbulent chorseof uncle Sam’s abodein […]
The archive A serious matter Poem by Odia Ofeimun · 1991 We have no need forthe common salt of want and hungersaid the spokespersons of the peopleas they rode kites of ballot paperto the truth of an ancient wish But we must stop theseair-conditioned arguments —do something — said the Peoples’lawyersas they stood up and […]
The archive THE DARK CITY Poem by Segun Adelugba · 1970 The city is darkFrom Majidun to the breezy beach.The cloud is thick. Very thick.I see no star nor rainbow.Will it rain soonOr it’s night so soon? A total eclipse this one isOr how do I put it?Sky’s electric workers on strikeOr just another power […]