Voices Poem by Toyo Esuola

We fear not
for our motherland we know
has been raped repeatedly;
Her breast milk sucked selfishly
and her sweet talent wasted in penury

We dare not
run like mice
nor bend like brooms
Neither are we
going to dance to tunes
played by fools


We bare not;
Our riches to squander?
Our pride to tarnish?
Our patriotism to mock?
Our souls to sell?

We call all
To stand for justice
To think as one
To fight as a family
To live as a nation