A Richly Poor Continent Poem by Raimi Babatunde

Dear Friend
I am your brother
Though seperated by the meditteranian
Even as your skin colour differs
The colour of our blood is same

You offered us aids
In cash and kind
Some were Greek gifts
But better than nothing
Especially in a corrupt continent

Your aids delivered us
Improved our lives
Good schools and hospitals
Water and cleaner environment
Thank you my Friend

In an impoverished continent
Rich in human and natural resources
Ruled by corrupt officials
Manipulators
Aided by unscrupulous elements
You still stood by us

You built us schools
Gave us good hospitals
Granted scholarships to our children
That they may return
To rebuild Africa
To make it a great continent

You protected our democracy
Protected our institutions
But Dear Friend
How can we so rich?
And yet so poor?
What is wrong with Africa?

They stole our common wealth
These masquerades of fortune
Sent their children to your schools
With stolen funds
Stashed in your banks and vaults
But you are my friend

While you preach sustainability
We are still grappling with development
Dear Friend
When you give without monitoring
You fetch water with a basket
An exercise in futility

We see your Hollywoods
Streets laden with gold
We identify with your celebrities
And we desire that life
By hook or crook
We want to come over
Legally or illegally

We migrate to your country
Even if we die trying
And try we must
Better that a "Shithole"
That we may escape
The poverty of Africa
A richly poor continent

Dear friend and brother
Help us get it right
Help us fight corruption
Publish names of bandits
Who have raped our continent to stupor

Send our stolen funds back
Send culprits to jail
That we may invest in our people
Else it will ricochet
And invade your taxpayers funds
Please my brother
Help!

Babatunde Raimi (Author/Life Coach/Poet)