Emmanuel K Woyome

We claimed that life begun at forty
When we were thirty;
Now at fifty,
We cannot say
Whether the future looks
Bright, blurred or murky.

Amongst ourselves
We fight for gender and economic equality
Under the umbrella of political destitution
And the madness of tribalism
We shirk away from prosperity.

What then do we hope for
When like toddlers
Ignorance sinks deep into our souls
In the courts of illiteracy
We are pronounced guilty
And prosecuted like fools.
With a hypocritical will
We till the land of misunderstanding
Innovation and invention
Are both cursed;

Oneness is an incurable disease
Our society desists
From selfless men
In our minds
Patriotism does not exist.

Fifty years ago
The foundation of our progress was cast
Until now, anticipation remains our only pride
Endurance, our unanswered prayer.

Emmanuel K Woyome