I Love My Country

I love my country Nigeria, Though marred by malaria. I've a bouquet of sweet aria, Blooming in my heart's rear, Which my country must hear, Else it flees to Rhea. I love my country Nigeria. It tilts like the Tower of Pisa, But stable as the Pyramid of Giza. Easily rocked by a soft breeze, But stands a storm with ease. The reason for my aria! I love my country Nigeria, But wish it were a nation, Not a cluster--an appellation-- Of dunes and a stretch of savanna, Of rocky hills and valleys of banana, Of mashes, inter alia. I love my country Nigeria Not the vultures in peacock's feathers, Or the hawks that strut in blathers, Who shrill and shrink our coffers, Swaggering while the nation suffers. Soon en route to Siberia. I will sing my aria for Nigeria, When the dirge sounds with pomp; And we bounce, hop and romp At the death of our foe--corruption. We joy in the birth of our Nation, Brace to grow Nigeria. I’ll live my aria for Nigeria. No more stroll along unsure course. Quality’s noble, mediocrity, a curse. Beauty wafts from garlands of praise For the legion of merits we raise. A nation truly Nigeria! My dream glows for Nigeria Where heads bow to mourn a sparrow; An infant's death, a loss to tomorrow. People recoil from trampling an ant; Leaders serve with honor, not flagrant, 'Cause we love Nigeria. You see why I love Nigeria? We cherish what God has given. Nation's goals are purpose-driven, So we ponder else we squander, Aware we soon have to render, In line with God's criteria. © 2015