Arc Angel
From my hotel window,
I see yellow sun leap off golden rooftops
Into the heights above.
Abuja’s reminder of the brevity of my existence.
I see metal caress air
As defiant cars swoop past men in grandeur.
Trees sway in the wind,
Dancing to the heartbeat of the earth.
This city on a hilltop tells its own story,
Tales of capitalism, of fatherland, of cabals,
Her buildings stand with elegance, head raised in pomp above vain thoughts of men.
Yet I wonder… was this beauty not born of others sweat?
I say to myself, “blood is thicker than water”
Surely, a leader must keep his word.
Somewhere in this dark room a voice replies in a whisper,
“It seems you forget that oil is thicker than blood”.
From my hotel window,
I see orange sun set atop lofty mountains
Revealing diamonds arduously hidden in the sky,
A twinkle here, a twinkle there and a man’s hope is born.
Velvet curtains shiver, as a cool night breeze blows by
Carrying along gory news from the south,
News of dying crops, of poisoned soil,
Of Mother Nature forced to drink the bitter mix of blood and oil.
Sons slain for the cowardice of their fore-fathers
Become nothing but forgotten names time left behind.
Patriotism was sold along with the soul of my nation,
Yet I wonder… was this gore not born of others greed?
They say the black gold has coveted the eyes of my countrymen,
That this oily tear of the earth has drunken them,
They say we are a people fast-heading to destruction.
I ask, can oil make my people forget who they are… one nation bound in freedom.
Source: Enigmatic Global Concept
Editor’s note: Originally published as part of the 31 Days of Poetry series on VicAdex.com on 13 July 2017.
Editor’s note: Originally published as part of the 31 Days of Poetry series on VicAdex.com on 13 July 2017.