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Oluwagbemisola O. Lawal Poem
In the heart of vibrant Africa, where democracy should reign,
Two shadows lurk, two specters haunt, two faces of the same pain.
One a soldier, gun in hand, the other clothed in suit,
Both rob the people of their choice, both the people's voice they mute.
The military coup, so stark, its violence loud and clear,
Ousts the leaders chosen by the people, instilling fear.
An iron fist in velvet glove, the power it seizes tight,
An eclipse of freedom, a darkened sun, a never-ending night.
The electoral commission, oh, how it wears a gentler face,
Yet hides beneath a veneer of law, a similar disgrace.
Votes cast in trust, a people's hope, but when the counting's done,
The rightful winner cast aside, the injustice has begun.
One uses bullets, the other, pens, tools of power's game,
But look within their hearts and see, their purpose is the same.
To usurp the will of the people, to claim a stolen throne,
To silence the voice of democracy, to make the power their own.
A coup is a tempest, fierce and wild, a storm that shakes the land,
Election theft, a poison slow, a tightening of the hand.
Yet both are a violation, a rape of trust and right,
Both leave a wound upon the land, a scar both deep and bright.
Africa, oh Africa, the cradle of mankind,
In your heart democracy’s seed, these usurpers try to bind.
But your spirit is resilient, your will cannot be tamed,
For the flame of freedom, once lit, cannot be maimed.
And so your people rise, against the bullet and the pen,
To claim the promise of their vote, to find their voice again.
For whether by coup or stolen vote, the truth remains the same,
Injustice anywhere is a threat, to justice's sacred flame.
Each coup, each election, a battle in the fight,
For the heart of Africa, for democracy's light.
Yet, hope persists, the struggle goes, until that glorious day,
When Africa is free at last, come what may.
Copyright © Oluwagbemisola O. Lawal | Year Posted 2023
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Details |
Oluwagbemisola O. Lawal Poem
In the depths of the Mediterranean's embrace,
Where waves and sorrow interlace,
A tragic tale unfolds each passing day,
Of lives lost, dreams shattered, swept away.
Ten souls, on average, meet their end,
In this watery grave, their hopes suspend,
And as the months unfold with heavy toll,
1875 hearts silenced, their stories untold.
Why, oh why, does history repeat?
When lessons learned should guide our fleet,
Yet apathy and ignorance still hold sway,
While lives are lost, cast adrift in disarray.
Do we not see the urgency before our eyes?
The need for compassion, for empathetic ties,
To stem the tide of despair and strife,
And offer solace to those seeking life?
Isolation, a fortress built in fear,
Cannot erase the pain, it only draws near,
For we are bound by a common thread,
The tapestry of humanity, where lives are spread.
No one stands alone, untouched by the plight,
We all have a role, to kindle the light,
To prevent the desperate from that treacherous route,
And extend our hands, embrace and salute.
For in the rescue of potential victims, we unite,
Shattering the darkness, bringing hope to light,
We raise our voices, demanding change,
To break the chains that hold us estranged.
Let empathy guide us, our actions inspire,
To build a world where compassion won't expire,
Where borders dissolve, and hearts intertwine,
Rescuing lives, a mission divine.
So let us learn from the past's bitter sting,
And let each life lost be a bell that will ring,
Awakening our souls, igniting a fire,
To save the lost, and lift them higher.
Copyright © Oluwagbemisola O. Lawal | Year Posted 2023
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