What If

WHAT IF ? WHAT IF I WASN'T BORN? AND IF I WAS WHAT IF I WAS NOT ME? WHAT IF I WAS NELSON MANDELA? WOULD I HAVE THE QUALITIES OF A LEADER? AND WOULD I STAND BEHIND BAR? TO STAND SO LONG FOR FREEDOM SAKE BUT STILL AND STILL,I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS A YANKEE ON THE VIETNAM SPOIL? WOULD I BE SHOOTING TI GET THEM DOWN? OR WOULD I TAKE TO MY HEELS AND LEAVE THE GROUND? NOT LISTENING TO THE DRUMS OF RIGHTS AND WRONG BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS DEDAN KIMATHI? WOULD I LET THEM GET ME LATER? OR WOULD I STAY AWAY LIKE JOMO KENYATTA? BURNING COLD MAU MAU FIRE WITH NO PLUME BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS PRINCE TO A RUTHLESS KING? WOULD MY HEART BE MADE OF STONE? OR WOULD I BE TOO SOFT FOR THE RUTHLESS THRONE? WITH ECHOES OF TREASON WHISPERING BEHIND THE TRUSTED CORRIDORS BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS DAVID DIOP? WOULD I HAVE ENDED IT OVER THE ATLANTIC? OR WOULD I HAVE LIVED ON AND MADE LIFE MORE DRAMATIC? PUTTING A REVAMP TO A SONG OF SORROW BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS A PRIEST? WOULD I ENDURE THE THOUGHT OF A GENERATION TO BE LOST? OR WOULD I RATHER ERR AND LIVE A CURSE? TO STAND ON A VALLEY BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARKNESS BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF I WAS CHRISTOPHER OKIGBO? WOULD I CHANT AND JOIN THE LIST? OR WOULD I WATCH AND WRITE AT LEAST? TO MATCH THE WORLD WITH LEAD AND INK BUT STILL AND STILL I STAND MYSELF WHAT IF YOU WERE NOT BORN? AND IF YOU WERE WHAT IF YOU WERE ME?