Underbridge Poem by Oluwakeji Daniel Onabajo

How we formed the bulk of new occupants
Of oshodi underbridge
We made a haven for ourselves underbridge
It's a luxury pad
as far as homeless haunts go.

no one takes possession of my sleeping area
beside one of the pillars of the bridge.
That my corner near that pillar is for only me
with blankets slung over iron pipes
Mats stirring and eager to lie atnight.

Underbridge I learnt
the only person you can trust is yourself
With handwritten reminders on the wall for myself
My hand-drawn maps on the concrete above me
I don't mind doing nothing.

Underbridge I layed bricks of ideas
Mixed mortal of hope
Building tomorrow to the climax
Not minding what the days may ask.

In battle with the set-back
glimmers of hope are easily shattered
hitches abound when you're homeless
the fight against decades of the bad
will never be an easy win
Howbeit must be won.

Drifted through odd jobs
some people even commit crimes
just so they can get a roof for winter
A winter vacation to the big house.


I am responsible for myself
and happiness comes from within
All these memory are now in my pouch.