by Salisu Suleiman
Published on: Dec 1, 2004
Topic:
Type: Poetry

Time was when tomorrow meant hope
An effective remedy for the mope
The faith of those who grope
The strength of many on dope
And guide for who needed a rope.

Time was when doubts were eased by a pope
Because conscience was to our deeds a probe
Time was when living needed no glove
Because we related purely on love
That had no need to chew on clove
Unlike today's thirst slated only by Coke
Like exhausted flames revived a stoke
Or a time weary warder subdued stroke

Time was when bounties came from a trove
And anxious moments needed no smoke
Because we read what ancients' wrote
And listened to what wise ones spoke

Never accepts the gambler to be broke
Poor bloke, he's never smote
Like men of science intent to prove
That we came about by a lucky stroke.

Truth is life's just for a time
Even though it can be sour as green lime
And hellish as jail time.
Never lasting is the gain of crime
Regardless of our clime
For no exits from dirt and slime.

Try we must to soak the allure of wine
And also from the innate love of dime
For it is the nature of children to mime
If they also must shine
Forget not the cold sweat and hot grime
That paved the way to our prime
And the fervent prayers all in a shrine
Mindless of cruel whispers in the vine

Because like the cat, we must have nine
To survive groping twine
Or lose our lives in life's landmine
As we step out for the first time.

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