Conscience — Isyaku Mohammed Aboki

The ground burned with fury
Scorching the last of the greenery
Blazing heat defying all forts
Lizards scampered into comfort!
Men retiring under mango trees
Gulping fura da nono
Out there he stood
Staring with bizarre look
Belly groaning for food
Skin burnt as soot
Except for the leg in a tattered boot
Conscience!
You cryptic one
Where have you now gone?

Drizzles and showers
Turning to hard, painful pellets
All of a sudden, torrents
Skies going agape
Pouring cats and dogs
Out there he stood
Though muscled and ageless
Naked and homeless
Conscience!
You soundless voice
What now fills your void

Lying exhausted on the tile
After trekking a mile
A broken old pot by his side
School kids passing in a file
Mahaukasi one jibed
Throwing a pebble or two in a snipe
He hungrily picked up a rotten or-
ange
As the passing Benz cruised out of
range
Conscience!
Oh powerful one
Where now lies your abode