All Gone Poem by Phillip Nine Mafunga

Where have all the communal farmers gone
Who would till the land
And feed our nation full
now our land lies fallow as if barren

Where have all the teachers gone
Who would till the minds of our posterity
And sharpen the nation's intellect
now our youths are like zombies in street corners n' gutters

Where have all the doctors n' nurses gone
Who would mend our broken limbs n' raptured organs
And with their assuring voices, put our troubled hearts to ease
now our sick lie strewn all over the hospital floors uncared for

Where have all the soldiers gone
Who would be so proud to mix with the public
And from their barracks, keep the nation secure
now all we have are house break-ins n' armed robberies in our highways

Where have all the police gone
Elegant in their crispy fatigue and shiny boots, would secure our streets
And would be so professional to ever take a bribe
now the lawless walk our streets free at the expense of the innocent

What has happened to all public officers
Who would be so diligent n' polite in the execution of duty
And not convert the nation's sweat n' blood to their own benefit
now the nation lies exposed to the economic inclement weather

Where have all the good citizens gone
Who would heed sound counsel n' despise corruption
And uphold good citizenry n' the rule of law
now our public infrastructure is deplorable n' in a state of disrepair
8 June 2022