Are They Truly? Poem by Ayodele Akinmeji

They told me that day;
that they'll be my friends
That in loco parentis they'll stand
That all I need do to prosper
Is to put them into my confidence
That all they crave for is my joy
That my comforters they'll be

Many moons has passed
Evensince that day

And when I asked for fish,
Serpent they did give me
When I sought shelter,
Roofless they made me be

When I prayed them for warmth,
Cold didn't they give me?
Their dogs they sent against me
To bite and to mutilate
.
And when I remember the things
The things they say they are
It rings in my head; are they, truly?