Here where all cardinal points meet in a capital
Here where rocks raise homes to the sky
Here where the savannah rolls over the soil
the coven where witches plot the demise of others
this is where chiefs celebrate on the sweat of slaves
this is where range chickens consume and scatter leftovers
this is where the hyena's den is guarded by rings of packs
and swallowed it, leaving no scent for a trace
this is where the boa-constrictor strangles its catch
this is where robbers boast of their callous acts
and laugh at the plight of a hundred million cowards
this is where the national flag covers a cesspool
this is where a god led his worshippers to die
this is where I weep for my entire land
Tanure Ojaide
Tanure Ojaide (born 1948) is a prolific Nigerian poet and writer. He is noted for his unique stylistic vision and for his intense criticism of imperialism, religion,and other issues. He is the author of six books of poetrty, including Labyrinths of the Delta , The Blood of Peace and The Daydream of Ants . He is two-time winner of both the All-Africa Okigbo Prizefor Poetry and the Association of Nigerian Authors' Poetry Prize. A memoir, Great Boys: An African Childhood , was recently published.
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