Snapsong 175

• Published date: 15 January 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

When Hunger locks the door

Anger will open it

A howling stomach has no ear

For the exhortations of belching sermons

A season this dry and dreary

Our country has never known

Wailing children dog their mothers' steps

On futile wanderings on merciless streets

Begging bowls are empty

Alms-givers have run out

Of pitiful pennies. Restless wheels of want

Are crushing those whom the country forgot

Rice has run out of the kitchen

With its golden grains

Yam yawns in a long, nostalgic distance

The bullet called bread has shot...