The Robbed One

Smiling at the query of the dust

People whose wood lights no fire

Jungle squizzing bitter sugars

N-nobody dares approach the dripping liquid

 

Thirsty without any need to drink of this water

The tubers of the farmers of hope are rotten

We watch even as this season had come

Teeth bitting against teeth, flesh against flesh

 

We planted yam, the land gave us vipers

With empty baskets we went home in peace

At the pavement children yet unborn hung

Do we’ve another hoe, another land to plant?

 

Hold us for we have no wall to lean on

We dropped, let the earth lift up the robbed

I come not to strive with planters of vipers

I wander seeking a farmer of good reason

– Kanayo Ebuka