The Detainees Poem by Blessing Ikponmwen

Many years ago some persons embarked on their life journeys,
Travelling across the hills,
Crossing the seven seas,
Searching for treasures without ease.

Missed their way and now among thieves,
Who collected their possession with ease,
Every day they tease the insatiable travellers as these,
Who have now become detainees in the hands of these trustees.

Their honey they have taken stinging them as bees,
Inflicting them with disease,
In their hearts and minds at various degrees,
Bringing them to their feet with tears and so much pleas.

Yet these thieves act as gods that they must appease,
With blood and sacrifices whenever they please,
Blowing the whistle at will as their referees,
Shouting and cursing even at the sound of a sneeze.

Oh! Who will rescue the suffering ones as these?
Then came a breeze,
Serenading even the trees,
But the detainees remain unease.

Arise oh detainees!
Quit being on your knees,
There lies what you need,
The Keys!
Set yourself free,
Or forever remain detainees.