Dec 022011
Feeding in a dirty environment
In the midst of sewage
By the odour of stagnant waters
Where innumerable species of parasites live
We sit our butts upon wooden stools, waiting to feed
The ignorant winds,
They blow more odour into our nostrils
Yet, we tolerantly ask forwhat is available
And soon, we are served with the meals we imagined
But in the ministry
Of cholera and dysentery
There is no sympathy for hunger
Though we ate the foods like we would die
Paying our debts,
We walk away with satisfaction today
But sickness finds us with affliction on the morrow
And inflicts upon us the fruits of a bad feeding atmosphere
If the words were simpler it would have made a good note for (Health Education For Primary schools: 1st edition.)
Because I don’t know who else you need to be telling this.
@Kaycee your comment just got me asking; ‘where did Kaycee grow up? If u have been to some places in Aba, Onitsha and the likes of Ajegunle and Orile in lagos, u will understand that even the grown up and the middle class need this. It is everybody.
@Kaycee: thanks for the comments. I always welcome critique.
@Adams: you’re right on point sir. You saw this through my very eyes.
At the out set i thought the persona is a mad man till he pays. Well some mad people do pay. Well if i should force another meaning on this poem just look at this: eating in dirty environment can be likened to earnings through corrupt means. The paying of debt could be bribe. Then cholera and dysentry are the nemesis, EFCC, ICPC, IC and so on. I believe every good poem is amenable to various reasonable interpretations. How do you see that @Moraks?
@Adams: again, you have spoken what I would say. I chose to wirte a poem because that was the quickest way I could pass my message. In between a very tight schedule and other responsibilities I bear, writing an article would ultimately result in procrastination. so, i just thought, let me write something and see what people think about it on naija Stories. But in addition, Let me tell you where I got the picture from. I snapped the pix at a location around Victoria Garden City before Ajah in Lagos State. I was intrigued that despite the high standard of living characterising the atmosphere, there are people who eat in such an environment. But then, an hungry man can eat anything anywhere. If you ask those who have experienced famine, I’m sure you’d get a clearer picture.
Adams, though it is was not my original intention, your analysis on corruption too is applicable. A man boasts lot before election about his intentions but after he resumes office, the same hunger/greed for money gets him stealing and then one day, the fruits of his bad seeds ripen. The harvest is what everybody sees, including those who did not know he was embezzling public funds / eating in a very dirty environment.
Sounds nasty though I know it happens. I do wonder like @kaycee why the choice of a poem to deliver this message?
It was the quickest means of passing my message within a few minutes. time constraints coupled with the desire to know folks’ opinion at Naija Stories.
I quite understand the angle which the poet is coming from. This message is not just for the primary school pupils but for everybody. If only you know @Kaycee.
Thanks
I have been to places that are as bad as written above and I can relate to the lines but I didn’t really get the reason behind this piece, I felt if it had been written in form of an article, you would have gotten more out.
Sure. I’d like to do that when the room for it is large enough sir. Thanks
I think I ditto Anderson…but then there are no parameters. We choose several mediums to communicate…movies and articles and whatever.
In other words…it’s allowed.
Not bad.
Ditto Anderson. Not bad…
I love the poem. It really does’nt matter what theme you choose to talk about. What matters is that you communicate and do it well. I think its cool.
Thank you.
I snapped the pix at a location around Victoria Garden City before Ajah in Lagos State. I was intrigued that despite the high standard of living characterising the atmosphere, there are people who eat in such an environment. But then, an hungry man can eat anything anywhere. If you ask those who have experienced famine, I’m sure you’d get a clearer picture. the swiftest means of taking note was to write a poem. Besides, these days, I have evolved. I have a stronger bias for poetry than articles. I wonder when I’d resume the former mode.