CRISPY SATIRE (ISSUE 5)
I AM ALSO ALMAJIRI by Awoniyi Rasheed
I
I am also almajiri,
one of those you swore to protect though
I take shelter at the outskirts of your care
weary and hungry, I roam the streets for remnants
with no home, shoes nor rags to wear.
II
While your selected few enjoy the warmth of the night,
I count the stars to endure the harsh whips of cold
while they sit in classes imbibing western education,
I learn from the street – ethics of fetish tradition.
III
you play inequality like the sun parting the day
Into day and night, pretending to be for all
you make hay upon your greed and in turn reap my rights
you despise me yet you say you live for the almajiris.
IV
while you enjoy the cosy warmth of your mansion,
acting as though you own your own creation
I roam the streets aimlessly singing in sorrow
while hunger joyfully gets married to my furrow.
I am also almajiri, one of those you swore to protect…
Awoniyi Rasheed is a graduate of Political Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe university Awka. He is a lover of all genres of literature, especially poetry. He hails from Isara Remo Local Government in Ogun state, Nigeria. His passion for poetry and other genres of literature is quite intriguing.
***
HARVEST OF HUNGER by Fidelis Obaseki
Today, we shall harvest hunger
Pestilence
Sorrow
Chaffs
Blown in the eyes of our future
Today, we shall harvest hunger
Hunger of corruption
With stretch marks of truth
And garment
Spotted in purity
Today, we shall harvest hunger
Hunger of slavery
In Babylon
Hunger of war In Syria
Today, we shall harvest hunger
With the sword of kunta kinte
And the race of Usain Bolt
Today, we shall harvest hunger
Hunger of death
Haunting the innocent
Purifiers of tomorrow
The harvest has come
We wait not for tomorrow
We shall harvest it today
Even with our blood, dripping…
Fidelis Obaseki hails from Edo State and writes from Minna, Niger State. He’s a poet, a spoken word artist, an activist, a quote writer and a columnist. Some of his works have been published by PIN (Poets in Nigeria), Dwartsonline, Anthology for Teen Writers, OutPour Magazine and other literary bodies. He also won Penfreaks Literary Quote Contest for the month of July. He is a member of the Hill Top Art Foundation in Minna founded by B.M Dzukogi. Fidelis Obaseki is committed to using poetry and quotations to speak positively to societies worldwide. He is the author of Chronicles, a book of Quotes.
Never stop reaping your harvest of words
thank you mum Brigitte…. I will keep reaping my harvest of words
Awesome, it really entails the redemption of the innocents who are ravaged by hunger, emanating from the poor standard of living of the country.
Lovely, keep the pen of harvest on.