My soil has betrayed me
Fingers trapped in mouths
Bemoaning where I find myself
Nature, what have thou done?
Destiny remains unquestionable.

Bullets wake us from sleep
Fear escorts us to bed
Eyes closed while open
We sigh upon our breath
For tragedy strikes in seconds.

The vultures feed on our sorrows
Unperturbed even with concern
Fire rage now and then
Eyes weep the oceans
Deaf ears turned toward our cry

Our chests tightened with grief
Our lovers cross the bar
They, victims of culpable negligence
My soil, a malady
A tragedy for the next generation

Life has become hell
Every step comes alongside caution
This is the demon we fed
Alas! here we are
Only if we knew.
© Yusuf Muhammad