"Help Meet"

 

"Help meet" (Dedicated to Gift Ifechukwudeni)

There are few humans like God

That could see our tears before they come

Draw close to us whenever

They sense our loneliness from afar

Snuggle silently to share our solitude.

Only you can share this cross with its thorn

Bleed and act as if you are not hurt

In every pain you sought my gain

You lost many too precious to find me

Love was all that mattered to you, and still does,

Few go this far in this scorching sun

And never bothered to look back.

Grace is found always on your lips

You wear beauty like a regal rope

Strength lies in your loins,

And you choose to bear me with them

You love relentless like death

And we have chosen that it won't do us part.

You say you worry I will leave 

But how could i?

When I just found the right bone 

That made my life empty all this while.

This is our honeymoon night

I have come home to roost forever with you.

"Lockdown at 67"

"Lockdown at '67"

Like in the days of communal clashes,

Our world became a deserted playground,

A war of pride and power

Is loosed on us,

And every feet is on the run.

Our children walk with tiny heads on  bloated stomachs,

Body tattooed with hunger and suffering,

Foot bare on dangerous pathways

Some reckless piece of artwork

unattractive to human stare 

Smiling faces retract to a frown

Brave men tremble like feverish children.

We are lockdown in a war:

Each day rises with horror 

And falls with many dead.

Life has turned its back on us

And is walking away.