Aftermath
after all the seismic emotions
ruptured geophysics
my land remains a collage
of rusted pipes
collapsed rigs
stunted undergrowth
withered earth
and mushroomed waste…
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Compensation
for demolition of the iroko
erection of a crisscross of pipes in the backyards
the Corporation built a modern market
some classroom blocks
set up a public tap
paved a major asphalt road
and the remnants
from the satchel of its charity
shared among the puzzled fathers
the listless mothers, the restless sons.
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Fumes and Flares
they say Lagos is crowded
choking
on industrial fumes
what if they can see
the flares smothering the air
in my land
oiling the Corporation.
==============
(c) Uche Peter Umez
Since I read a short story, SMOLDERED, by Uche Peter Umez that won him the Commonwealth writing competition, I rated him one of the best aspiring writers. His poems here are terse, well crafted and depict the nature in Nigeria – for those who are oblivious! Good work, Nwanna!
Uche, I’ve always known you as a great writer!
the best to say here is that the poems are classical
Great craft. You are a master of the art!
This is a very strong piece with a master stroke. Polemics and aesthetics find synergy and symphony in one piece.