THE CONVOY

UNITY, THEY SAY. Did I not journey through foes I can’t unsee? Swimming across discord, a great sea Did I not listen to the sounds of war? Sorrow streaming deep against my oar Did I not lay my eyes down as children starved? Saying this, their sight in my mind remains carved  Did I not feel the cries of people deep in my bones? Same reason I ignore the sound of battle horns Did I not smell decaying corpses as I fled? Ghostly faces, lifeless pictures inscribed in my head Did I not taste the bitter tears? As they trickled down, peeling my fears Do I not now cherish the days of harmony? With family, days as sweet as honey Gidi gidi bụ ugwu – unity is strength  Whispers my soul as I close my eyes in death

As I look out the window, sound of cheers deafen my ears The neighbours  just got a puppy I slipped back into the cold bleak feel of my room Putting my head to bed, Stronger than a giant's grip is the tightness on my chest A bit relaxed, I begin to reflect, Why was Cinderella’s shoes made of glass and mine, pure leather? It was Sharon’s birthday, her gown looking so blue in contrast to my bright yellow I remember as I bury it in cool brown mud On the graduating podium, hundreds of laurel round my neck  Still can't feel the happiness that radiates from empty necks It's a wedding ceremony, humans seated in couples but I hold on tight to that empty chair beside I long to imitate the little kid's smile across the road all because mine doesn't feel right I've got a mansion but old Billy's treehouse is all I desire The sun licks up puddles but in forlorn, it abandons my wet eyes Pacing round my driveway, I desire the freedom of little kids on shiny little bikes I ...