"This is a Country" was inspired by the poem, “A Military Coup” by Micheal Shoemaker.
Corrupt leader, walking dead citizens— tradition of taking— without them knowing
Empty stomachs—anger—boiling like unforgiving desert heat
A father pleading with a commercial tricycle to take him for a penny.
National currency—trade by barter
Long queues — scarcity
Midnight, screeching vehicles — School girls, screaming — to a truck
abduction here, cyber fraud there—no jail time.
Parents—compensations, journalists, interviews —blurry videos, for peanuts.
Butchered education, strike —withheld salaries
the key that lights the darkness – found missing,
leaders of tomorrow — died yesterday.
Woke generation of youths behind keypads — tweeting opinions — freedom of speech— no ears to listen.
Police—bribe—brutality, a bullet doused through the brains of my brother— dreadlocks, a sketched portrait of criminals — daily bread— snatched from our father.
Disciples —private properties — offerings, keys to financial breakthroughs.
God is a white man— will deal us a better card.
Annah Atane was born in Borno, Nigeria. She writes poetry, short stories, essays, and fiction. Her works have appeared in Brittle Paper, Spill Words, itanilè, and are upcoming in the Kalahari Review.
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