Epitaph On the Plateau

Hacked down at dawn is the tree that would have blossomed
Maimed is the navel that sometimes may have grown straight
Burned is the candle that may have shone in a dark path
Stifled is the dream that might have come true
Bludgeon are youth who would have led 
Trampled by maggoty mauruders is the flowers that would have sprouted
Gone  limp  is the phallus that would have yielded bountifully for posterity
Lost is the country of our heroes past
Bath in the fiesta of blood and death
Convulse in ethnic tent and shrines 
Starved of humanity, pyromaniacs
Blinded and poisoned by blind faith 
Buried in the womb of Dogo Nahawa is a testimony of  man’s diabolical efficiency

The sadistic infanticide…
The murder of the frail, the feeble and the weak
Robbing the newly born of its mother’s milk
A horrific dot to sentences of life constructed midway 
Sanctioned by man’s sanctimoniousness
So weep, weep for the children are no more
Weep for dismembered families
Strangled, decapitated at dawn
For their bones lies buried 
In shilly- shally government committees and white papers.
(This piece is written against the background of endless massacre in Jos Plateau –North Central Nigeria)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Agustin Avatar
November 24, 2024 at 11:27 PM
Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed.
A   Avatar
March 6, 2016 at 9:34 PM
Etukudo Matthew, Enjoyed the way you expressed every line. Please keep writing, hope to see a new one from you again. LOVE LINDA
A  Avatar
January 8, 2016 at 9:50 PM
etukudo, well done on your poem, enjoyed reading today. *SKAT
Brown Avatar
July 18, 2012 at 8:10 AM
Congratulations on your poem making it through round one of the PoetrySoup International Poetry Contest. I wish you the best in the finals Etukudo. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
September 12, 2011 at 11:38 AM
WELCOME TO POETRY SOUP.. SO ENJOYED READING YOUR CREATIVE POETRY..ENJOY THE SITE WITH ITS MANY FEATURES AS U CONTINUE TO SHARE WORDS WITH LUV..
Sweetheart Avatar
September 12, 2011 at 11:37 AM
WELCOME TO POETRY SOUP.. SO ENJOYED READING YOUR CREATIVE POETRY..ENJOY THE SITE WITH ITS MANY FEATURES AS U CONTINUE TO SHARE WORDS WITH LUV..
Buys Avatar
September 12, 2011 at 7:51 AM
great poem. I'm new here as well.
Brown Avatar
September 12, 2011 at 7:18 AM
A warm welcome to PoetrySoup I offer to you Etukudo. I wish for you the best in your writing endeavors whatever they may be. May you find inspiration by reading some of the poetry written here by other poets. Read and comment on their's and they will return in kind. May the sun shine on you that you might find great joy in your life. Love and blessing always, Carol
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace