A village by Joshua Amile Ibrahim

I know a people, a kindred
They live in hamlets
In a mosaic of nuclear settlement
From the bank of the river Benue 

Down to the falls of the Niger
This is their birth place
The land is theirs and a heritage 

At the bottom of ethnicity they thrive
They speak the language,

They identify with the root.


They smile, paddling canoes through the thickest waters

Fishing the sea with the earnest plea

That they'll find a friend in the deepest sea.

They drag their nets with ceasing breath

Hoping for a catch that could sink a boat

At the end of the day when night falls

En route home the spun tales of bravery.

At the cliff of great view
Where eyes explore the terrains of neighboring territories

They seek business and pleasure beyond these borders
From the heights they witness each others plight
With arms of love stretched out
Cries are heard and sympathy sails.

I know a place where
They wake up at morn to fetch water

Even before the cock crows

Where mothers are the only parents that take care of the child

And fathers are the breadwinners.