Excuses (Co-Written By Kilsi Borgbara) Poem by Charles Nnamuka

I saw the life of another man flash before my eyes and I didn't even blink
I see it every day but I just turn away
Cause what can I do?
What difference can I make?
That's my excuse,
What's yours?

I know Mr Pain!
I see him every day
On my way to work
Lying breathless on the broken side walk,
Hawking needles in a war thorn zone,
Picking pockets and stealing phones.
What else can I do but claim not to know?
Well, that's my excuse,
What's yours.

How much is a sachet of water worth?
How do you take a walk
In a stony desert and not get hurt?
I should know how much a tainted soul costs cos I have one

I know others...
Leaders,
With broken thoughts, sold souls.
Thieves and looters with glass homes.


I'm not much fortunate myself
But at least I have a meal each day
and a bed to lay

I have internet on my phone and fake people on my wall.
All I have to worry about is...,
The cost of data and constant power.

I have water to drink and drinks to spill
My challenge is how to avoid eye contact
With those at the motor park.
How to escape those kids that try to hold my hand.

I don't have enough money to take care of me how much more them.
They're the government's problem.
Well, that's my excuse,
What's yours.

I know Mr Pain
I see him in the eyes of the children that struggle to hold my hand under the scorching sun in a crowded bus station as they beg for just another meal.
I pretend like its normal
Cause they're smiling

Forgive my ignorance,
I do not know pain.
I have not been raped in broad day light
I haven't slept in the shadows of a full moon' sight
I haven't had the pleasure of a cold floor's delight

I haven't starved...
...never been on my knees
I haven't begged...
...barely know how to say please
I haven't watched my daughter die
So when I say I know pain...‎
I lie! !

Of course we're the world's happiest people
Maybe that's something to brag about
Maybe someday I'll help take some sufferings from this world
Well that's my silly excuse.
What's yours?