CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION
She has one daughter
One daughter who civilized the globe
Yet, she is called a Third World
Who taught the world embalmment Tech?
Where did the other worlds learn?
Yet, the mother is called a Third World.
The act of writing in black and white,
Photo-speak Tech – aka, hieroglyphics
Started from where?
Even though they stole and refabed it,
But can’t the mother take credit?
“No!” She is part of Third World.
One Mungo came to the Niger
To discover it as he claimed
But some native fishermen
took him there
Can a stranger discover a man’s river for him?
The very reason why we are called Third World
The first cannot be last
The footprint cannot be erased
We are Third World we know
The strength in us, scarce in other worlds
They know and we know
Yet, they call us Third World
Are some ‘third worldians’ not in diaspora?
Are they not doing better than the two other?
Rich, brilliant, creative and dominating
They have made themselves their citizens
But they have roots, still from Third World.
When a woman gives civilization to her daughter,
It is for the daughter and her sisters
The woman and her child remain initiators
Others may copy, but the cradle lies in the mother
Great lady Africa!
Civilization, from your cradle crept.
NAUGHTY
NATION
A nation of thorn, trouble and torments
Where compliment cards
Offer employment of all sorts
To pass and first class, ask to go
Letters, in place of interviews
Fully forbids their future
Pulverize, perish the youth ambitions
Bountifully provides, for politicians
Whose powers provide pains
A nation without plans for youths
An inimical nation for the youths
A pessimist and despondent nation
Sure sweat, no sweet
Where graduates roam streets
To be used and dumped
After political thuggery,
Assassination of opponents,
In ethnic crises,
Religious bigotry,
And altercation.
A nation without regards
A nonagenarian active and able
Octogenarian long way to retirement
Grand fathers at active work
Grand children at afar watching
Leaders, richer than the nation
Positions by merit at oblivion
A nation next to hell.
EDUCATION
The root, ensign to all knowledge
The bedrock of every development
The pride, beauty of every nation
The anchor of bravado
The standing point of fulfilled life
The starting point of greatness
Yes, you are, Education
You’re enormous and a great hero
You liberated us from colonial shackles
You powered and cosseted us
From the snow masters, heavy you are
You are more protective
Than helmets and breastplates
In a fusillade front
You are primus inter pares
Great and resourceful men
Education immortalized
Shakespeare, Aristotle, Faraday and Newton
Even Karl Marx, Robert Michaels are evergreen
Plato’s quotes to remember
Abraham Lincoln’s phyrric victory
Herbert Macualey political ardour
Awolowo’s broadcasting foundation
Azikiwe’s leadership
And Dele Giwa’s pen power
All these men you gave immortality
Your works of super-excellence
Nothing keeps name ever as you
Your auriferous deeds are forever
You are to be aspired
You are to be sought for
Not all, to be clamoured for
For identifying with you
Depicts prissy and accomplished life.
Yet, Education is not consummated
The proofs and paradigms of science,
The theories and terms
of technology,
The globe made a village,
The Internet, World Wide Web,
The clone and plastic surgery,
Building of iron and chemical weapons,
The mascara and thalidomide,
The temerity and audacity of women,
Education is not without its peril.
