Ayei Ibiang
@ayeiibiang080407
1 year ago

OKORO (Voices of the Aggrieved)

They found subtle ways to exploit our compliance
- with MoUs and mere propaganda
Promissory notes hinting at rural development,
brown envelopes stashed in agbada;
A mortgage of the commonwealth by kinsmen,
their intents masked like Lagbaja
Wetin dem promise we never see, everything
just jaga-jaga


“A new era is in the pipeline", a crude way
to siphon resources
Only you president; only you minister...Haba!
Abi na only you like the office?
See as men dey die because of hunger, but you dey gain ontop our losses
Na you dey chop all the Shell money, still turn
your back on us like tortoise

Na till we die before you notice...say your actions no dey tally with wetin you yarn?
Say e choke for everybody side, where you fit
see 5k for person hand?
National cake wey need dey free, no be still you
dey hold am stand?
No come dey cap me motivation, no tell me:
“To be a man..."


We wey show love for the election, na im you carry put for jail?
If to say we no put body, no be so your plans
for fail?
Now na we be ballot snatchers, no be so you
send for mail?
Still, na we you use rig matters wan come
knack us hand for nail!?

If we talk na who go hear us, who go believe when we swear?
Who go follow us go court, and who go give us listening ear?
When we pin okoro, no be still government
go put us fear?
E no easy for we common man, this thing
is hard to bear

It's a volatile situation in this land that's known some spills
Reason we tread carefully; activism,
a fire that kills
Blood from shallow graves keep seeking
vengeance on both men and drills
We've been gaslighted and doused; lynched at
the very hand that steals


***





Written by: Ibiang, Ayei Okoi
Monday, 11th September, 2023.
4:37PM
#Aï



























#Nirclestories
#Poetry