Africa's Satire

Reminiscing on the idea of the single story

If they ask about me,
Tell them about malaria
Which kills young and old
And births sorrows untold.

If they ask about me,
Tell them about poverty
And kwashiokor bellies roaming around
Streets where unsated hunger and thirst abound.

If they ask about me,
Tell them about ageing youths
With idle hands and a crooked tomorrow
Where every breath of life they seem to borrow.

If they ask about me,
Tell them about snowless Christmas nights,
About black underfed Santas
And forced celebratory banters.

If they ask about me,
Don't tell them about my art
Which captures my wisdom and beauty
In a heritage of words and crafty purity.

If they ask about me,
Don't tell them about resilient folks
Working day and night for their meal
So they don't have to ever steal.

If they ask about me,
Don't tell them a multitude of stories
That will bore them to sleepiness,
But show them the black in my blackness.

Reviews

[Tazeen Ahmed]

This is so intense! It made me feel sad... :'(
The message here is well conveyed and the nature of the poem is too smooth...
People around the globe are well versed with the problems of hunger, disease and poverty in Africa.. I personally know it from my father as he had been to Nigeria!
We all need to stand United to help Africa achieve its best...
I bet you,this is one of my favourites.
I want your poem to be circulated for its honest nature!
As said --Yes, people will ask you and this is what you would tell about Africa.. What lies with the darkness!
Thanks For Sharing..