Today

Today, as Nigeria turns 50 loud
Rat-tat-tats ripped the air at midnight
Bang-bang
Hundreds of them in quick succession

All over the neighborhood candles went out
In windows and
Mothers flung their children
Under beds
Or in corners with raffia
Mats to shield them from
This who-knows-what obtrusion of the sleep
Of the poor

Is it sad or funny or just ironic that
While Some light the sky in celebration
Others cower in fear that
Death has come in form of coup
Armed robbers
War?

Ugly paradox
These sprigs of red
Green and yellow light spitting up into
Dark smoggy sky
Spit…bang! Spit…bang!
And pouring down ash debris on the
Hungry masses below

Today, as Nigeria turns 50
We are one hour into Jubilee and it has started to rain.
Rain is pouring fresh
Pouring, pouring
To water the land and soak the soil.

Keep pouring down
Soak our hearts! Create
Inroads in the dry places,
Find the forgotten places and rain down there!
Rain in every language
Every dialect. Tap-tap against the tin roofs
And thud-thud upon
Red slate.
Maybe the people will leave
Their cowering corners and come
Out and dance in the rain of Jubilee.

Today
As Nigeria turns
50
The sun arises to a calm morning
The people wait in expectation
What will the new day bring?