'Hum' This World Poem by Kingsley Egbukole

Tender years, years ago
Embedded in scarcity
Though mama sweated profusely
But to little gain

Many there were better off
In feeding, clothing and housing
And other little luxuries
Synonymous with the time

Long vacations
Many peers traveled to the cities
To enjoy holidays with their fathers
With my mother I remained
Permanently confined
To one room mud house
Of our local environment

On one such vacation
I cried the morning
My peers were dressed to leave
Mama scolded me harshly
And cried too
For she felt my pains and hers

Now an adult
Through thick and thin
And laurels in my hold
I glanced sideways and back
To find some pears at par
And many trailing behind
Hum! this world.

(Sunday 28th November,1999,5.40pm)