Father Poem by Ojeikpo Elijah

Father, tell me why my skin is still dirty,
Despite the bath I just took?
Shouldn't I be forever clean,
With no need for soap to cleanse?

Why do I still stand naked,
Clothed only in the coal of your hard work?
When will I be given garments,
To cover my shame and bareness?

Do clothes not suffice,
To hide the nakedness within?
Why do we envy our neighbors
And their possessions that we covet?

Why does food never satisfy our hunger,
And water fails to quench our thirst?
Is nature's gifts not enough
For us, the children of humanity?

Is it because life is fleeting,
And death comes knocking at our door?
Or because God allotted us
The responsibility of toil and labour?

Or is it the restless night,
Where peace cannot find us?
Father, tell me the reason,
For the struggles of mankind.