The African Youth Poem by Raimi Babatunde

As a toddler
in a typical third world African setting
Growing up wasn't easy
But it was worth it

Running around in torn multi-coloured pants
Cut from coats of many colours
Or remnants of Alaso' fabric
But worn with joys and peace

As higher Animals
The Lizards envied us
Nodding in awe and acknowledgement
To men god in abject poverty

We carried "Egun" to buy sweets
Scaring fellow kids as night falls
Till their parents gave us coins
"Baba Mama Ka le oh"
"Wa dagba, wa darugbo
A melody of our generation
How i miss my childhood

When you encounter Yaba & Onipan Masquerades
They come in peace
Tell them you know a Daraloje
Who is an Author and a Poet

Once i met a Cheetah
In one of my many sojourns
She told me of how the Lion reigns supreme
Rulling with fear
At the appearance of a Lion
Lower animals cower

I know i am a Daraloje
I understand my natural and supernatural roots
I respect foreign gods
But i know who i am

Do you know who you are?
Why fit in, knowing you can stand out?
Why struggle when you can hussle?
Laziness is a curse
Don't be a lazy African youth

Life will throw darts at you
But remember who you are
A phenomenon
With a possibility mentality
In whose hands things work

You might not be a Daraloje
But what are you good at?
Until you pay the PRICE
You won't get the PRIZE
That's just the way it works

An Eagle descends to prey on weaklings
A Python dances the death dance to feed
A Lion has to outrun an Antelope to survive
An Antelop strategizes to avoid being preyed on
It's all about survival instincts
As Abraham Maslow opined in his pyramid

If you remain a Lazy African youth
It won't be long before you become a story
A story that saddens your generation
In a continent where wealth abound
It will be tough at the beginning
But it will end in praise if you believe

From the Python i learnt timing
The Lion taught me techniques
The Eagle taught me focus
The Slot volunteered to add his
But quickly i declined
She would have taught me slotfullness

What do i even know?
"Ki ni omode mo? "
Afterall, i am just a hunter and a Poet
From the ancient city of Ede
"Omo Timi Agbale, Oloofa ina"
"Afi ojojumo dara bi Egbin"

"Omo yi da? Iree wa ni yi"
Get me my keg of palmwine
Let me jolly in the glory of success
For surely, "Results cancels insults