My Nation; My pride:


Terror rages.
Ignobles call.
Strife plunders.
The brawls of the age hard hit.
How am I to understand how a meagre miniature,
yet massive and resilient wondrous tree dances in the middle of the forest.
Thorns hard press from all sides.
Threats of death make desperate appeal on her.
They even lust after her.
'Oh,sweet darling, we lurk after you'. They say.
What a way to woo a goddess!
They desperately reach out for her in utmost care and nurture,
yet with commando brooding hearts.
'Oh,my love' they kindly whisper again.
'Can I pour my love on you? I need you'.
In utter amazement, I watch these 'tender caring lovers pour there wild gaga 'love' on this wondrous damsel.
'What a love!'. She screams in ecstasy.
A raging trouble arose within me.
I knew a lion cant love my skin more than I do.
Neither could a good gift come from a Greek.
I knew this amiable damsel was in a deep blue sea.
Unfortunately,she's got no knowledge of where she was.
My heart felt for her.

This drama thrilled me for hours, days, weeks, months, years...it kept glowing for over 5 decades!
Needless to ask,when all those would rescind.
Why such hatred, deception, rancour...all poured out from bowls of corrupt minds?
Yet,in a seemingly loving manner?
'Love must be wicked!' I muttered.
I watched as she continuosly shed her dry kinky brown leaves.
The dryness was as a result of gross negligence by her supposed admirers.
She asked for water they gave her vinegar.
I thought they were supposed to be caring,
but why would they want to see her taste bitterness?
I know she didn't ask for so much.
Water?
That could have given her relief from their horrified torture of love.
I pondered in sympathy.
This amazed me as I wondered how this loving damsel thrived amidst all these.
I saw her remain resilient,yet productive.
Her remnant leaves flourished in green,as though she was by the river banks.
Her fruits dazzled.
They looked So appealing.
No wonder her admirers lusted after her.
Unfortunately,they only came to suck her to perpetual dryness.
She stood tall amongst the giants at rivalry,
spreading her ever succulent tentacles to the amazement of all.
Her boundaries knew no border. This she does to shield her killers from the dryness of the hot sun.
Oh, I screamed!
So true love does exist?
My tree;my pride!
Your fruits are succulent.
My belly craves to have you within.
Would you come fill me.
I promise never to hurt you as they did. With my all I share with you.
Not in conceit,but in all truth.
I love you my tree;
I love you my Country;
I love you Nigeria!


... Chukwudi