Afolabi Muideen | + Follow Poet |
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Better Life

She never lets a car pass her by
she says
buy my locus beans
buy my oranges
buy my dodo Ikire
she clings her right arm to the bus window
runs after it, fast past a horse
she says

     father mother
     brother sister
     uncle aunt
buy what I sell
      please father
      please mother
      please sister
      please uncle
      please aunt I go to school
I pay school fees
I have to eat
I have to live
buy what I sell
please buy what I sell


dodo-Ikire is a Yoruba word. Dodo mean plantain and Ikire is a town. Dodo Ikire is a kind of plantain made in Ikire, but made special with pepper.

Copyright © Afolabi Muideen | Year Posted 2017

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Paul Callus Date: 4/14/2017 4:37:00 AM You paint a striking picture of everyday scenes in a country where many people find it hard to cope with life. Shows the gap which exists between rich and poor. ~ Regards // paul Login to Reply

Abosede Ogundare Date: 4/13/2017 2:56:00 PM Afolabi, your words are true, we see these people every day, clinging to our cars and buses, just to sell and make ends meet... while some opt to beg on the street,this lovely poem of yours is a contrast to my peasants with pleasant rags. Well done friend. Login to Reply

Probir Gupta Date: 4/13/2017 8:45:00 AM A very well written poem ... I can relate to ... Here too we come across every day the girl running after the taxi or bus ... My full empathy with the spirit of your poem ... Login to Reply

White Wolf Date: 4/13/2017 8:23:00 AM Some of us don't realise how lucky we truly are! Your poem makes me feel grateful, lovely work, and thanks for the information down below! Login to Reply Afolabi Muideen Date: 4/14/2017 12:54:00 AM Truly, we should be thankful.

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 4/13/2017 7:10:00 AM A beautiful emotional poem that shows the wealth of heart's feelings dear, Afolabi! Login to Reply Afolabi Muideen Date: 4/14/2017 12:50:00 AM Thank you for the warm comment.