Naija Lokomotive
The bespectacled old man
Adjusted his spectacles and his hearing aids,
Positioned his walking stick
Then,
Inched forward as the caravan stuttered
And,
Birthed at Aqua Caliente Station
Unable to make out
The train number and destination,
He turned to me
And asked in a quavering voice:
Young man, any idea
Where this caravan is headed?
I asked the old man
Where he was heading?
With trembling hands
He handed me
His train ticket
Then said:
My son purchased it
The name of the train
Should be there
I googled the ticket...
Inscribed on it
In bold letters
Were the words:
Zion train
The old man googled
My face expectantly
Haven waited for
Over twenty score years
To board his train...
Old man, I managed to flounder,
Sorry, not this train.
Crestfallen,
He asked in a gritty voice:
So,
Where is this caravan heading?
And,
When is Zion coming?
I googled the train;
Inscribed on it
In bold green, white, green letters
Were the words:
One way Lokomotive,
Temporary out of order
Destination: unknown.
Just then,
The grey haired pilot
And his pot bellied conductors
Emerged from the cockpit unshaken;
They laughed and giggled uncontrollably
A Man dressed
In a khaki jump suit
Popped up behind them
Inscribed on his right
Breast pocket were the words:
Lokomotive doctor, "specializing in mechanism."
In his right hand
Was a clipboard
With the caption: full service and complete diagnosis
Then,
The Lokomotive doctor
Began a thorough
Inspection and introspection
Of the train
The train pilot
And his conductors
Disappeared to a nearby joint
To demolish bowels
Of pounded yam
And egusi soup
With bales of Bush meat
Pushed down with bottles of odeku
At Aqua Caliente Station
The Lokomotive doctor
Was struggling to conclude
His full diagnosis of Naija Lokomotive
The train pilot
And his conductors
Glared impatiently at him....
Sensing danger,
The doctor,
Cleared his throat
Then,
Divulged: done deal
He handed the train pilot
His findings
The train pilot
Amidst pomp,
A battery of camera's,
Flash lights, fluttering
Green white green flags
Reel out the report card:
Age of Lokomotive: 59 and counting.....
Age of pilot: grizzled
Level of education of pilot: standard six
Average age of conductors: unknown
Average level of education of conductors: honorary degree
Number of passengers: 200 million
Condition of passengers: life support sustained
Lokomotive engine: needs overhauling
Wheels: delinquent
Lokomotive body: needs total overhauling
Verdict: unity and faith.
Copyright © Harry Biosah | Year Posted 2019
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