JEREMIAD: "WE HAVE, YET WE LACK" BY SULAIMON KHALID

Beneath our feet, we have dark liquids,

Yet we queue each day for fuel.

Our soil — loamy, rich, and never barren —

Yet hunger beats us like morning rain.

We have seas and oceans,

And rain that falls in season,

Yet our land stays dry —

More desert than garden.

We have minds that shine like stars,

Yet stumble when it’s time to think.

We have gold, ore, and gifts from God,

Yet live like owners of nothing.

Talents, we have, but leave,

For our bad acts remain.

We have voices,

But we’ve forgotten how to scream.

We live near rivers,

Yet thirsty daily.

We give light to the world,

Yet sit proudly, in darkness.

We export our wealth,

But import struggle.

 © SULAIMON KHALID

- Nigeria 

The poet persona laments over Nigeria's situation. The voice says the country has a lot of opportunities but she is disturbed by the inability to use them sensibly. The bard laments the worse condition of growth and development in Nigeria.