Poem To My Green Flag (Nigeria @ 56)
POEM TO MY GREEN FLAG(NIGERIA) Let Nigeria be Nigeria again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let giant stride be its name Seeking a home where he himself is free Nigeria was never free. Let Nigeria be the dream the dreamers dreamed It is so painful we can’t wake Herbert Macaulay, Azikiwe, Amadu Bello and Awolowo from their sleep If I could you would cry a bit. Let Nigeria be that great strong land of love, Where never Leaders connive nor tyrants scheme, That any man be crushed by one above. (It never was Nigeria to me.) O, let my land be a land where Liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, Where opportunity is real, and life is free, A nation where equality is in the air we breathe. (There’s never been equality for me, Nor freedom in this “Nigeria.”) Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark? And who are you that draws your veil across the stars? I am the poor citizen, fooled and pushed apart, I am the Civil servant bearing slavery’s scars. I am the Farmer driven from...