The archive The real ‘kaffir’ in South Africa Poem by Musa A. Fago · 1992 In Arabic Language, kaffir means unbelieversOne whose minutest actions goes beyond the laws of Godso, why all the suppressions and segregation. The white man came to Africa toTrade, administer, divide,And to rob, and to be rude to us,Taking us like […]
The archive For Hajara Poem by Mohammed Garba Bawa · 1993 You being the source of my daily joyAnd the object of my daily toilThe thought of you keeps me awake all nightAs it does make my days brightThe Almighty in his holinessCreated you as the cure of my lonelinessAs I see the future alreadyLife […]
The archive Night Exodus Poem by Frank Mkalawile Chipasula · 1982 The soft footfalls of those whoVanished in the dark thunderstormsRing towards my dimly-lit roomAdvancing shadows ducking searchlightsTheir voices cracked and broken:A bloody blur fading into night, echoesLeave behind silhouettesOf nightmares, abandoned mutilated hopes, behindThey shower sad, beaten flowers, scarredBroken men, spirits whipped and torturedChains […]
The archive Love gone Poem by Ibrahim Sheme · 1992 How can I dip my fingers,While the waves groan and roar,In life’s dark and angry rivers,And control their uproar? A few fish dance on the waves,And the rhino, fat as the hill,On stream-side grasses laves;Oh, touch my heart and feel! The silent stare of the […]
The archive SAP Poem by Mohammed Alh. Nanu Potiskum · 1992 The Structural Adjustment ProgrammeIs the South Africa police.The SharpevilleIn my villa.Driving me out to the villageAnd taking away all my privilegeAllowing me only a dig of my minesAnd leaving me strapped-of my moneyPlus unusual divided mind. Mohammed Alh. Nanu Potiskum EDITOR’S NOTE Originally published […]
The archive Mine to love Poem by Kabiru A. Muhammad · 1993 I hope to giveReceiveFeel needed and lovedTo entrust my legal seedInto safety her womb’sThe noon sun is less fieryThan love’s dreamsFlooding orbits of my soulNaira scorned my loveMore genuine than genuine itselfMy muslimahOf the melodious laughRainbow to contented devoted loveIslam the flavourIn sauce […]
The archive The Gulp Poem by Ibrahim Sheme · 1990 A light year’s gulp severed usThough our fathomless dream mar-riedWe swam in the unilateral sea ofalonenessBecause the gulp severed us.My tears caked into the islandsof longing, seeking your ismuthand the oars of my resolve trodethe watery bridge.But irate waves warnedme of drowningsome restive tide washedthe […]
The archive Political starter Poem by Jnr. Shalumma Azare · 1992 Theirs blow democracy,Why this defuncracy? Pardon me political dragons,Yours, the transmission of programmes,For good, and free cakes. Well then, political dispensation,Best of all, Nairanisation of the nation,The bankrupt political equation. O, you dogs of power,Mind your whiskers, it’s not Naira power,It’s hitch-free not eat-free […]
The archive The night of power Poem by Ahmad Umar Abdullahi · 1993 Rhapsodies of sweet angelsInundate a most hallowed nightEloquent phrases did, in white cloutsOf burning incense, sang melodiouslyLike the soothing pledges of anIndescriptic beauty to the attentiveListening of a matured, lover, the voicesIn chorus, sang their wonderful carolsIn the blessed night of QadrThe […]
The archive The victims (For the Bosnian muslims) Poem by Mohammed Garba Bawa · 1993 Torture and terrorThey tasteWithout breakMadness and horrorUnlimitedThey witnessOppression and aggressionThey faceWithout respiteSadness and sorrowThey feelWithout endWill and strengthThey possessYet without armsThey’re helplessOur collective conscience being deadAnd our listening ears now deafJust as our watching eyes close againTheir yells for help […]