Okrika Rising Poem by Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo

strong dynamic city state
strategic coastal plains
of peace and pride
people never colonized

never enslaved across
evil trans atlantic seas
prestigiously brave heroes
dogged in optimism and powerful

respected neighbours and orderly organized
original in art craft music and dance
but discord have agonized affinity with strife
tar brush painted dirty mud

with ugly stench that drown peace
fragmented flourishing economy
anarchy in brutal brigandage
embraces insecurity

poverty and fear clinch hands in leisure swing
but repeated ringing bell resound repentance
to bake enduring balm of repairs
for broken values of respect

to restore sanity and integrity
in okrika rising all come to
bail out illiteracy pollution
bloodshed and backward footsteps

[C]Tamunobarabi Gogo Ibulubo
december 20,2006