If Not Tomorrow

Do not blame the snail When it drags along sluggishly Or draws back in its shell out of fear. But what do you say of one Who competes with a turbo jet And makes friend with a sledge hammer? Do not blame the cat Frolicking in the comfort of its paws, While it mews and lords over the mouse. What do you say of one That pretends to be a Jaguar Whose jagritude plunged it into the lion's den? Must we blame the earth worm That prefers to curl in the mud As it awaits its ration from the earth. What do you say of one That jumped headlong into the riverbed while it pretends to be a snake? Of course it will become food for the fishes. What can you say of an hen Whose envy of the eagle Motioned her legs toward the mountain top, While it calls on the winds to direct her feathers? Don't you know that envy kills? Okun and Osa Will never be same Just like Orun and Osupa each with its appointed time will never proclaim to be the other. If not tomorrow Yesterday can never proclaim to be today, For we are a creation of yesterday Oblivious of the face of tomorrow. Our enemies have made peace While our friends have gone to war For our sins lie in who we are And who we will never become. We have refused to be a part of deceit. We have grown to understand The crux of human foolery And the dangers benign With its untold sorrow. So if not tomorrow, Why not live for today? (C) Muyideen Ayinla 2021