Dear Everyone. Poem by Tony Adah

Dear truck drivers
As you blare your truck horns over
The slithering overhead bridges of lagos
Do not overload your vehicles
For the bridge is old and shaky in spite
Of the tendency of thieves who
Shortchanged the bill of quantities.

Dear pedestrians,
As you trek through this squeaky bridge
Take along with you a parachute
Of an empty gourd in your armpit
For the purpose of emergency
Or a giant bird will pluck itself down
And crash by the railings of the old bridge
Where you guide yourself from dizzying
Into the yawning lagoon.

Dear fishermen,
Perhaps a sound of warning
Will suffice for your safety
Although the government of lagos state
Is yet to issue a red alert fishing
On the troubled waters of the under bridge
Is highly prohibited henceforth
You may wonder why this order emanates
From me but government is busy
Sharing the loot of the Commonwealth.

Dear ordinary man
This warning is coming from an ordinary man
For extraordinary care
Upon the bridge that's old
And even the bridge
Between the people and the government
Is already broken.
Dear all,
Be careful
The glue that holds government
Is worn out and old.