Blessed Yet We Cry!
So blessed a people with so many gifts
So yet untapped of abounding talents
Three-dozen states across its acreage
With various tribes, culture, and language
1914, a product of amalgamation,
1960, left to stand as its own nation.
From the oil rich enclaves of the south
To the rice growing lands of the North.
From local scouts of grassroot villages
To the green berets of Dodan barracks
From the natural caves of Olumo rock
To the flamboyant structures of Aso rock.
From the coal miners of Enugu city
To the commercial bustles of Kano city
From the talented sculptors of ile-ife
To the creative geniuses of NdiAba
From the rigorous traders of Onitsha market
To the swimming fisherman of Ijaw and Ikot
From the agricultural farmers at Abeokuta
Through Benin, Calabar, and Egbema Oguta.
From the Achebes, to the Soyinkas,
From the Olajuwons to the Okochas
From the Emegwalis to the Anyanwus.
Nigerian talents and brain still abound.
Talents and blessings I can recount
But there’s too much to even count
So you would say what a great nation,
Destined to lead the world of nations.
But you might hurt to know indeed,
That we now live the well suffered
Taking for granted God’s many gifts,
A free country blessed with oil boom.
Who is to blame, ‘am not here to say,
But we many know the roles we played.
And I shall not here now cast the blame
For we must heal and move forward.
Who is to blame, ‘am not here to say,
But we might not our progress so attain
If we fail to embrace our many gifts
Talents and resources freely bestowed.
Who is to blame, ‘am not here to say,
But I shall beg you to heed the call
And push forward the Anyanwus all
To again bring Nigeria to the front of all.
Who is to blame, ‘am not here to say,
But I look forward to such a nation,
Where the many talented are put to use
Not a people so blessed yet suffering
Who is to blame, ‘am not here to say,
But I know in us lies latent the talent
3rd in a 100 of world’s outstanding
And more noble prizes are due to us.
But I shall count myself a lucky one
To be counted amongst these people
Nigerians of the Southern Sahara
And with all the talent we will survive.
© Oliver Mbamara, February 2004
(Poems of Freedom)
Oliver
Mbamara, Esq., is an Administrative Law Judge with the State of New
York.
For More Poetic Stories and Essays,
Please Visit: www.Expressionsofsoul.com
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