Walk Of Shame Poem by yinka adeogun

Its assembly time again
and my heart is filled with trepidation
my heart thumps against my chest
my palms are sweaty
so I wipe them across my torn vest

Tears wet my eyes
as the national anthem begins
not because I love my country dearly
a nation that refuses to pay its state workers
for which my mom & dad are part of
but because of what comes next

In a deep booming baritone voice
the principal begins to call out the names
of pupils whose parents haven’t paid the school fees
my head slumps on my chest
pressed down by the weight of shame

I hear my name called out
and wait silently till all the names are read
and without looking up
or saying good-bye to my friends
I begin my walk of shame

with eyes downcast
hot tears in my eyes
dragging my dusty sandals along
I silently take the same foot-path
I took to school this morning
that was once filled with chatter
but is now enveloped by the shame I carry with me.