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?
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