THINGS FALL APART

I reside in a country
where things fall apart,
where we preach love
and practise hatred,
pray for blessing
and wish other curse.

Where fanaticism is the true religion,
spilling innocent blood is libation,
and egotism is normal.

Where black gold is abundance,
land is fruitful
and hunger rock our stomach.

I reside in a country
where prejudice substitute discern,
where speaking for oneself is a sin
because truth is bitter.

Where violence
and strike
is a means of seeking right

where teaching is
a wrong profession because of the meagre pay.

Where we vote for
democracy,
and receive dictatorship.

Where we pray for
revolution,
and fear death,
where adult fear kidnappers.

Things fall apart,
everyone is groaning,
nevertheless we are all to be blamed.

POET: TOSIN DAMILARE IYIOLA