State Of Us Poem by Toyo Esuola

We are constantly swimming
against the timeless waves of poverty
Trying to stay afloat
In the depths of perpetual
corruption and tribalism
Forever praying for some form of
miracle, divine intervention
For nature itself is far too tired
of the situation we have created
upon ourselves.


We have been ruled by
nepotism & selfishness
Thus creating
fear and suppression
All to satisfy their
insatiable greed,
& incorrigible illiteracy
Pitiful sight as they
rebel in their ignorance.


To fathom that a country,
blessed with all the riches
of the world;
Bestowed with all the natural
resources available to mankind;
Now a poor refelction of
a once great and respected nation.
Living in the shadows of
past glories and flashes of
rear accomplishments.


Presently visible, as we sigh
is the wide gap between
rich and poor,
very narrow margin between
sanity and insanity,
thin line between
intergrity and dishonesty.

The way out is the
“one million dollar question”
guiding the people towards
that faint white light
that glitters to illuminate
the darkness in us
and brighten our hearts
with that iota of hope.