Dear mama Africa
End of year is here
Seems an on here
Much’s passed under
Toddlers are miners
Boys are breadwinners
Men became beggars
Women became whiners
Youngsters waylay elders
Take what’s not theirs
Kill for no reason
With guns, knives, and clubs
They’re now Jabba kings
Chewing all day long
They’re ganja masters
Puffing their brains away
The rains are no more
Fields are dustier
Tables are bare
Bellies are emptier
No one seems to care
Everyone is poorer
The rich want more
The poor turn to prayer
Churches are fuller
Priests richer, sharper
Vending even prayer
Sprinkling holy water
Leaders greedier
Stealing baby’s pottage
Driving big black cars
Turning a deaf ear
But there’s hope
This year is ripe
Next year is just up
We’ll rise from sleep
Your people suffer
But smile still more
Deep inside they know
Tomorrow’s being better
Be with them, mother Africa.
Literate Gardener
Ndiang’ui N.
ndiandus@gmail.com
©️: BAM CARES Artmore, Poetry Group
Founder: Bettie Atemo
Email: atemob21@gmail.com
Facebook page : BAM CARES Artmore