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.