by Osemwengie Williams I. Oviasuyi
The harsh harmattan sun isabout going to sleep,
and the air about me,is dry and cool as i take a peep,
out of my window,it seems the weather will permit,
an evening stroll and ff i go,from my avenue,to the street,
to have one more look,at this city,my birth place,
Benin,that i have read so much about,now bereft of grace.
the once great land of vexation,seems noisy tonight.
i have to tread gently,because,of the blackout,not peculiar to this night.
right in front of me,in the gentle cover of darkness,a lass,
is being held and groped by a bloke,who looks as brittle as glass,
right into the road,i am greeted,by the buzzing,
of motorbikes ,buses and cars most of them,blasting
music,like there is no tomorrow.funny enough,
even i am guilty of this sin,and i just laugh,
when some people complain of this,because i am guilty,
too,of disturbing the peace,of not a few people in my vicinity.
my walk leads me to a spot where a crowd,
is gathering.and the reason?A police officer,a seargent,
who is supposed,to be a friend,has lost his temperament
and is beating a "bloody civillian",a driver,like a mule.
his crime?refusing to give him a bribe,which is a rule,
which must be observed,here.and is this injustice?
well,i dont know,everyone in this city must pay a price,
when he tries,to be Jesus,in this system,which is complicated.
and on i go,into another street,and on a verandah,seated,
are four men shouting on top of their voices.why they gathered,
i wondered and looking closely,i noticed each had,
a bottle of beer,in his hand,this is the fad,
here,drink yourself to sleep,after a had days job.
not quite a vice,really,except that some of these folks,have no job.
in front of me, a couple of kids,run about dressed,only,
in their panties,these havent lost their innocence ,jolly
good fellows,their mother,is not far off,just by my right,
she is making a fire,to roast some plantain,fanning with all her might.
i have walked enough now and i beckon on a bike,to take me,
to another part of this city,to see a friend who owes me.
and the closer i get to his vicinity,the more,
this city changes,close to his house,a dude,who looks like a moor,
is caressing his girl,but he looks healthy and rotund.
all about me,is quiet with hardly any sound.
the roads are not so good,but they are much better,
than the former,and cleaner.
and finally,i arrive at my destination,
there are no men outside drinking,no commotion.
and everything seems bright,this is the fine side,
of this city,tragically,only a few,reside,
here. much of the city is in chaos.this is Benin,
my birth place,where, i come from,from where there is no running.
The harsh harmattan sun is about going to sleep,
and the air about me,is dry and cool as i take a peep,
out of my window,it seems the weather will permit,
an evening stroll and ff i go,from my avenue,to the street,
to have one more look,at this city,my birth place,
Benin,that i have read so much about,now bereft of grace.
the once great land of vexation,seems noisy tonight.
i have to tread gently,because,of the blackout,not peculiar to this night.
right in front of me,in the gentle cover of darkness,a lass,
is being held and groped by a bloke,who looks as brittle as glass,
right into the road,i am greeted,by the buzzing,
of motorbikes ,buses and cars most of them,blasting
music,like there is no tomorrow.funny enough,
even i am guilty of this sin,and i just laugh,
when some people complain of this,because i am guilty,
too,of disturbing the peace,of not a few people in my vicinity.
my walk leads me to a spot where a crowd,
is gathering.and the reason? A police officer,a seargent,
who is supposed,to be a friend,has lost his temperament
and is beating a "bloody civillian",a driver,like a mule.
his crime?refusing to give him a bribe,which is a rule,
which must be observed,here.and is this injustice?
well,i dont know,everyone in this city must pay a price,
when he tries,to be Jesus,in this system,which is complicated.
and on i go,into another street,and on a verandah,seated,
are four men shouting on top of their voices.why they gathered,
i wondered and looking closely,i noticed each had,
a bottle of beer,in his hand,this is the fad,
here,drink yourself to sleep,after a had days job.
not quite a vice,really,except that some of these folks,have no job.
in front of me, a couple of kids,run about dressed,only,
in their panties,these havent lost their innocence ,jolly
good fellows,their mother,is not far off,just by my right,
she is making a fire,to roast some plantain,fanning with all her might.
i have walked enough now and i beckon on a bike,to take me,
to another part of this city,to see a friend who owes me.
and the closer i get to his vicinity,the more,
this city changes,close to his house,a dude,who looks like a moor,
is caressing his girl,but he looks healthy and rotund.
all about me,is quiet with hardly any sound.
the roads are not so good,but they are much better,
than the former,and cleaner.
and finally,i arrive at my destination,
there are no men outside drinking,no commotion.
and everything seems bright,this is the fine side,
of this city,tragically,only a few,reside,
here. much of the city is in chaos.this is Benin,
my birth place,where, i come from,from where there is no running.
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