Nkanu Mazou
THE HERALD
The morning cold chills:
Piercing the flesh to the marrow
Like a sharp object.
Rendering the skin scaling.
The dusty streets paint the sky,
The cracked scorching road path,
The cancerous rays of the sun
Retard the routine of the day.
But it is an end to a new beginning
The herald announces;
The sky is heavy
I remember that revelation.
The ambiance it brings
The flying cattle-eagles paint the field white,
How birds chant with jollity
The cuckoo – cuckoo - cuckoo
At dawn reminding farmers
In refrain “Get your seeds ready!”
The herdsmen and cattle wave the valley
Grass springs everywhere, the field’s green
Then, vegetation smells everywhere.
Who knows these moments…
Bright faces everywhere
Where rain dwells life dwells.
Nkanu Mazou
A COVENANT
You made a covenant with us, Countryman.
You have deceived us for long now.
We stand up to you now as mature men,
Who have had as leaders, self-centered statesmen.
We are old enough now for that game,
It is you who dictate the roles of the game,
Now is our own time to decide,
Where are all the promises you made?
The ring-road, water, electricity, hospitals,
And the good life you promised us
When you first came; you were humble
Your eloquence and charisma lured us;
In you it was paradise we saw
Now you look so beefy and fresh
We have not changed but for these white hairs.
Your arrogance grew wild when we petitioned:
Breach of Promise
Though you made your way through
Because your roots were firmed in the system
Now is our own time to smile.