Footstool of the gods

Africa! My Africa!! Our Africa!!! The cradle of civilization The genesis of greed The heart of barbarism The footstool of the gods And the threshold of the Almighty Many starve with hunger and thirst Destructions and diseases have become our closest allies Yet this is where you find some of the happiest people on earth; At peace with nature, living on the bare necessities of life Oh Africa, blessed with its’ abundance of resources Only the lucky few, could enjoy the benefits Only the greedy few, could loot it for themselves Only the powerful few, could fight for it Only the un-lucky many, could die for it Like the dicey breakfast, Awaiting to be eaten up greedily The scramble for Africa began Africa was sliced up and shared apiece, by its’ colonial masters Though the masters be gone, the legacy remains The seeds that were sown are yielding fruits till date Some of these fruits though of greed, are ready for harvesting! The marks left behind have become like the scar To be used in reference to its individuality for all eternity Perhaps life would be better and worth-while When Africa becomes its’ own masters; so we thought But til date, nothing has changed except the meal been dicier and richer For the corrupt and elite class of Africa Oh Africa, How I hate to leave my beloved land and continent I watch the local news everyday, and these same words I hear “Things are improving, developments are taking place”. Come to Africa and you can tell the difference between film-tricks and reality “For every atom of development recorded”, “A compound of loot is made by the elite class in power” Ofcourse things are improving indeed!! But at “snail” speed Years back, Africa could enjoy three square meals daily Today it can barely afford two scanty meals And malnutrition slaps it on the face Yet the elite class in power could afford more luxury cars in addition to their fleet. Aren’t things improving? Ofcourse things are improving Or can’t you notice the size of the waistline of the elite class? Their tummies just got bigger! I wouldn’t leave Africa if I could help it. But go I must! I need a better life, because I can not be assured of a better life down here. In my heart, in my prayers, in my thoughts and in my dreams, Africa has its’ pride of place. If I be far from home, I still look back and feel lovesick for Africa. And when I die, when my life here on earth is done, Please find this in my will; “Take me down to Africa, And Bury Me in Africa!” © 2007. Osamuyi Okpame -All Rights Reserved