Of Blood and Country

(Historic Event: Nigeria Civil War - 1967-1970)

It was that afternoon teacher told me

Stories of blood and country

How years of

Injustice

Struck a divide

For two and half years

That afternoon he told me

About their existence

Two countries in one nation

Majority in government

Minority deemed militants

For two and half years

He told me how

Ruthless some were

How

Markets were cleared

Of ignorant, fearful "militants"

Shot in the head

For religion, politics, trivialities

For two and half years

That afternoon I heard how

The strong exploited, abused

How resources were withheld to

Turn people

Turncoats

For two and half years

I heard

Of guns and knives

Of races and refugees

Of vultures and corpses

Hopeless ends and hopeful beginnings

For two and half years

It was that afternoon teacher told me

Stories of hopeful beginnings

How years of

Sad happenings

Brought near peace

After two and half years