NOW THAT THE POLLS ARE HERE...

WARNING!!! THIS POST IS NOT SHORT


Fellow Nigerians, the much anticipated March 28, 2015 is few hours away. Few times have we had periods that have dire effect on the destiny of a nation, of the Nigerian people as much as this date. However, I dare to say things need not become as heated as it is.

If you are in the Northern part of Nigeria, you’ll be amazed at the exodus out of this zone by natives of other tribes and I do not blame them at all, the events that greeted the election results after 2011 is why we are here. This country is undoubtedly a blessed nation, but our blessing is almost if not totally our curse. Nigeria must be the only country in the universe with so much un-actualised potentials. And this is sad. Very sad.

Frankly, I don’t see why things should get this bad if as a nation we have always had our priorities right. Alas we never have been able to manage this small feat and we have certainly not been helped by the kinds of leaders we have been having for nearly over 4 decades.

THE LEGEND OF MONERIA

Moneria is a disease. A widespread disease.

It is global in its spread.
It afflicts just everyone I know. People I have never met and will never meet are not spared. It is such a potent ailment. It is not a small somtin oh, because the young suffers from it, the old have suffered and are still suffering from it sef. Should you care to know, even me, I wallow in it. I am one of its prime candidates. This Moneria has shown me pepper.

You still don’t know this disease? 
Alright oh, let’s go.
I invite you to follow me on this journey, by the time I finish describing Moneria, you’ll see you’ve for long been under its clutches.

When we were younger, we discovered that in the seed of a mango, there is usually an insect. We’ll lick the juicy mango till the seed is as white as anything you can imagine. Then we’ll set to the task of opening it up carefully and trapping the poor unsuspecting insect in a transparent nylon. Trust me, if you are able to successfully do this, you’ll be held in high regard for very few of us was able to achieve that aim. Did I hear you say we were jobless? I don’t blame you, those were some of the ‘trips’ we caught as young ‘uns because of course the onus was on us to find entertainment for ourselves not like the present time when internet, videos games and the sorts are plenty. If you were born in the 80s or perhaps very early 90s, you can relate very well. You see now, I’m digressing too much from my story.

As I was saying jare, even then we always wondered how the insect finds its way inside the mango. Till today, grown as I am, I still can’t unravel this mystery. You see, just like the mango seedling/insect analogy, so does Moneria disease apply to all human race, tribe, gender, religion notwithstanding. We are all born with it.

You’re still with me? Thank you jare. 
This Moneria disease is a very cunning ailment. It cannot be diagnosed by any doctor no matter his/her credentials and it defies any cure. However, depending on its level of affliction in someone’s life, it can quickly run its course.
In my experience anyway, most times, it is in the old and weak that you find Moneria symptoms near inexistent; in those kinds of people it has probably ran it course. 
Moneria disease can kill but it does that in a clever way too. It does not have the power to snuff out life, but it can cause the afflicted to willingly press a self-destruct button. It is a very unique disease I tell you.

You see my friend, Moneria disease is why you go to school and it is why you pursue with alacrity that high paying job. Although I earlier stated that it is a disease that afflicts every human, some people are more readily predisposed to its influences than some. They are the kind genetically wired to suffer more from this disease and this is just why some people suffer more from it. It is ironical but we live for it, it lives in us. Did I mention that Moneria is very powerful? It can cause quarrel between father and mother, husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, Pastor and church members, between friends, between siblings, colleagues… in fact, the list is endless.

Wait oh, if by now, you still don’t understand what Moneria disease is, then your case is probably worse than mine. Moneria disease has finished you. I will help you don’t worry. As long as you are in need of money for whatever reasons you conjured up, you are suffering from Moneria disease abeg. 
Fullstop.

Oluwole.

I REMEMBER!

I remember that day

distant, yet near at once

it was colder than a dog’s snout

chilly even

you smiled at me, called my name

sweetened tilt from honeyed lips

and suddenly I became warm.

It was easy to love you

between the touch of your love

the whispered vows in heated gazes

words that tumbled between escaping sighs

I fell into the stream

drowning happily

like backstreet boys

I didn’t see it coming

I stab I can endure

a plunge into the back, no one can

I writhe in agony

as life slowly ebbed away

robbed of my heart and care.

Oluwole.

MEASURED...

The stealthy flow of the tide

turpsy and turpsy curves

tilting here and there

measuring time and yield

Everyone with two accounts

one filled, one empty

time and yield

Like hour-glass it runs

time employed or not

its yield shall grow voice and speak

the strange metre of life

The run cannot be paused

its hands cannot be stilled

it runs its course… 

Oluwole.
PHOTO COURTESY google.com

OUR FRIENDS ARE HERE AGAIN !

The circle is near completion

the path to our huts is now well trod

our walls wear their smiling faces

they looks so good

their words looks good too

but we know better

because

suddenly we’ve become friends

it happens every time they need us

here they are knocking our doors

they come in flowing raiments

our rags barely hide our bums

as usual, bearing smiles and gifts.

Last time they were here

they preached the gospel- CHANGE

effortlessly, promises jumped down their lips

if we didn’t know better

we would have been taken in

because

in our hunger they fed fat

its four years already,

they want four more

now they are back knocking

with foods, money with promises

of change change change like conductors

haggling with passengers  in a lagos bus.

Last time one of our friends had no shoes

our sympathy we freely gave

in addition to the luck he’s had

and down the lane is a sorry sight

a sad tale of a lost people

because

last time,

our friend the Khaki man lost the polls

in holy tears and bitter anger

he made us promises of chaos

and for years after his words

by the day the death toll increases

some bombed, some kidnapped

but he has braved the elements

‘cos today he’s here again

like a chameleon in a different colour

he’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing

a sad tale of lost people.   

Oluwole.