Victims Poem by Tobi Oyesomi

VICTIMS
Here are a peculiar people at war
Fighting not foes from outside shore
Death turned a commodity so cheap
The roads to the grave down so steep

Too many roads leading man to the grave
Hunger giving hundreds a clean head shave
The hungry pots on the roads raking tolls
Marauding cattlemen invading, claiming souls

Every day countless souls say a bye
Nowhere seemed safe, but why?
Exceptions are not the military barracks
Nor the farms, roads, rails or tarmacs

Unripe bodies falling daily on the streets
Like ripe mango fruits off their trees
Blood became a regular broad-day sight
Even children have conquered its fright

Here are the unfortunate victims
Touring on their own land like pilgrims
Lives sacrificed on the altar of power
For dire die-hard stay in the Tower

No doubt, all men shall one day die
No matter the position we hold or vie
But allow the peaceable passage all desire
When to the Maker we shall all retire.

©Tobi OYESOMI
10/04/2022