POEM- THE FLOW

[Dora Oyana]

THE FLOW by Dora Oyana

Dark sinister clouds rose
Like an overfed puffed pillow of smoke
Suddenly moonlight gave way

The guardians turned
Their backs which have lifted many
Bent in humble resignation
If only...

Suddenly
The winds whip fell it all
The trees
House tops
Wooden stores

And then the downpour
Day after day it increased
On the feeble and strong
Poor and rich

Their doorposts which once read welcome
Lied beneath a deep mud colored river
Caps of huts seemed to pop out in generic display

Arms and feet’s were seen flapping in the streams of the street
Canoes and boats freely rode the streets
The sight of loss
Was more than unwelcome
Children were orphaned
Wives widowed

Lokoja and Benue wept
Nigeria wept
Mother Nature wept
As she received them all

The wise ones stuttered as they spoke
Not believing the sight
Some held their breath in search for what remained
The earth stood still as they wept

Then God remembered
And sent a mighty wind to blow across the land
The storm ceased and the flood receded

Sound the alarm
Let the elders rise
Let the broken words be bound
And the broken hearts mended with this united prayer
United Lord let us stand
Give us strength to keep every neighbor who suffered this loss
Even better than we found them