I have got this beautiful poem for us... very beautiful; although the beauty in the poem is quite ironic and that makes it the funnest part of it all. Lagos—in its grand look of sophistication, after being turned to look the way it currently is — has left some people bereft of hope of survival.
As a lot of us are jamming our hands at the good side of it all, a poet somewhere sees the very subtle disadvantages that can make a heart ache and suddenly feel somewhat guilty for partaking in the joy of a city refurbished at the expense of others.
Have a wonderful read below
LAGOS IS BEAUTIFUL!
Lagos is beautiful, isn't it?
We stare at unemployment and plant
flowers
Our mothers' market stalls can no
longer
Be found where they used to be--
They were sacrificed to the
beautification of Lagos.
There are beautiful street lights
All around Lagos,
Street lights that cannot spot light
the hunger
Gnawing the stomach of the masses.
Lagos is not for everybody--
Only for the rich--
But the rich cannot exist without the
poor.
Baba Ifa has succeeded
He has sold a wrong image of us to
outsiders
He has worn the mask of flowers for
houses
Whose interior could barely boast of
a bed.
Lagos is beautiful!
Poverty grows as quickly as the
Igunnu masquerade.
Oh Lagos is so beautiful!
Ask the boy who can no longer sell
yogurt
On the highway traffic.
Lagos is beautiful!
The father who cannot cater for his
family
Because his 'Okada' has been seized
sings it.
Lagos is beautiful!
Commuters who can't afford the
inflating
Transportation fare know so.
We have enamoured the exterior
We have covered our faeces with
hollandis
Carefully wrapped it with warm
colours
Even though it still smells
We cover our noses
And proudly proclaim that Lagos is
beautiful.
And yes!
Of course it is beautiful!
Eko o ni baje o!
U I A Eazy 2013
Our dear beautiful Lagos
Our dear beautiful Lagos
Beautiful Lagos indeed!
ReplyDeleteQuite sarcastic!
sarcasm and irony.. very good piece of poetry.
ReplyDelete