Only If Poem by Vincent Igwilo

Today was a hack of a day
There were many questions on my mind
They flashed like blinking light
They made me sit and think

I saw a woman, poor and wretched
Trying to make music, to make money
With her local, improvised instrument
She fiddled it endlessly

And all I heard was sounds
Notes and not melody
But they did got me thinking
Only if she was rich and healthy

An old man sat beside a dusty shelf
On a roadside close to the market square
As I passed by he tugged on my trouser
Turning around he said 'help an old man'

Though I had no money on me
I swear I cried and prayed when I got home
And I thought all the way
Only if he had money, clothes and shelter

And then there were the children
At the bus stop this morning
They wailed 'Uncle! Uncle! ! '
And shook their plates in my front

I got into the bus
And looked out through the window
I saw the conductor driving the away
As they wandered like sheep's without a shepherd

At home I cried
'Cause I have no strenght
I can't help all
Only if God will consider.