Back To The 5th Century

A Poem by John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee

The poem spurs a sober reflection on the rising loss of value for human lives in different parts of the world especially in Africa, particularly occasioned by jungle Justice.

Such babaric act involves killing and other forms of cruel treatment on unfortunate victims often done as a result of ignorance, and ethno-religious intolerance.

Here is the excerpts of the lines.

Gone to dust, the flesh of the innocent.

Dragged by many stoned by all

5th century? No steven, the 21st

Where Google is freer than speech or justice,

In the land that preaches peace and unity.

The cry of the innocent was lost to the sea,

Drowned by the noise of the holier than thou.

Who prefers the name of a man to the life of a sister?

Whose blood like others, they watch the flow,

On the sacred altar of intolerance.

A country of peacekeeping is now the altar,

Where blood spills to wet the ground,

On which ethnicity, and religiosity thrive in harmony.

Afraid to go, my words I contain…,

Who knows the bull’s eye for the next pelts?.

Enough Nigeria! I wish the words of our anthem can manifest,

Peace and justice are needed, and no more blood fest.

We’ve watched the labours of our heroes go in vain,

All because you are north, I’m south and personal gain.

Let us build a nation with the noble cause of wealth and flourish.

As we help each other’s stress diminish.