Visions (Of Abuja And The Lost Souls) Poem by RazonAnny Justin

Rumours of another explosion
Abuja again: the location
I felt deeply embittered
Watching the video a day later

I saw thick black smoke
And the reign of terror
I saw panic- people wounded!
I saw humans- mashed, mangled
Fried- torn to pieces
I saw bodies shredded
Bloodied
An human arm- broiled
Roasted flesh smelled everywhere
In my Imaginations

I heard them
Their soulful voices crying
The angel of death was passing
Over the heart of our City
I heard wails and shoutings
I heard exclamations
Of Christ and Allah
The Blood of Jesus
And the person videoing
Mournfully chanting in Islam

I saw no gods- nor their intervention
None sent their judgements
A Moslem consoling a Christian
A Christian helping a Moslem
For once- I couldn't tell their difference
Everyone begging
In the name of exotic dieties
We have been indoctrinated with
Pleading for mercy
That was not forth-coming

I saw One Nigeria
In the face of adversity
I saw Igbos
Fulanis and Hausas
You could tell from their dresses
I heard Yoruba
A voice beckoning Abasi
Another- Tamuno e!
These were ethnic minorities
Running along with the majorities

There is no rank or order
In the files of deadly insecurities
I saw the oppressors running
The policemen were scampering
NEMA staff stalling
I didn't see our prestigious Army
They hadn't arrived from Sambisa
I saw a city in Pandemonium
I knew anarchy was approaching
I saw War- in minds' eyes

I saw too much Blood
The young man panting
Drenched- dripping red
Soaked down a leg of his jean trousers
Too many citizens bloodied
Hit at various parts by splinters
Shrapnels- piercing
Bleary eyes searching
Cars reversing- in total disorderliness
To supposed, but temporary safety

I saw us
The futility of false Religion
I saw human resilience
I saw me- I saw you
I saw the Black race
I saw Humanity
Fighting against extermination
People say there is a foriegn influence
I refuse to believe it
For I didn't see the Americans

I saw Nigeria lapping
An asthmatic; last breathe heaving
Then the video finished
I dropped my device slowly
I cried silently; then loudly
For a place I used to call home
For fellow countrymen
Now turned insurgents
I wailed for Boko Haram
For a failing government

The video had ended
I was here, still sobbing
There are people raping my Country
They still live here with me
I can't help Nigeria
Or stop the carnage
Alas, 'There was a Country'
All gone with the wind
But I am still here
Having nowhere else to call home.


©Poet Razon-Anny Justin
Thoughts from a Warped Mind,06/2014.