ABIGAIL OSORO
Like an owl in the deep, dark night
The ill feeling glares at me,
It flows my way, unending, a river,
It washes over me as I traverse the land
Oblivious of the scrutiny I attract
As, at my touch, dirt turns gold
And sterile earth learns to birth.
This malignity is just like air,
It appears to be everywhere,
Like the lazy son of a wealthy man
It lounges, unquestioned
In the transparent words of school children,
Young hearts darkened by mouths
That should teach love and justice.
Hatred is a man of few words,
His expression need not be sought
In extended sayings,
Words like ‘Nyamiri’ and ‘Toro’
Are clear reminders of what it means
To hate a person you do not know,
And send them to the grave.
Wrapped around me was the banner of unity,
Straddling the left and right,
Stretched across the north and the south,
But, this vessel of togetherness has proven
A treacherous one to sail,
Stagnant, regressing, forgive my intolerance
To movement at snail’s pace.
The Sun and I are kin, we are from one place,
You should know that peace is to me
A worthy companion, one I cannot lose,
But, I crave freedom even more,
Like one drowning, struggling for air,
And I am certain that the two are not
Mutually exclusive.
ABIGAIL OSORO
is a third year student of English in the University of Lagos. She likes to sing, act and eat nice stuff. She is also a follower of Jesus. She lives in Lagos. When school is not in session, she spends time with family.
