ODE: "JUNE 12: A DATE THAT SPEAKS" BY SULAIMON KHALID

Today we honor voices,

that scream so loud

And hands, that thumb papers

Standing for justice, and freedom

From the then military rule.

Today we celebrate, in flashback

of June 12, 1993,

when the people shouted through ballots,

and changed history.

Today, we also celebrate bloods lost

in the annulled 1993 elections,

we salute the memory of MKO Abiola,

who won — but was deprived.

June 12 is more than a day, or date —

it's a symbol,

that Nigerian's once come together as one,

a symbol that we've once unite.

Democracy is the voice of the people —

and on June 12, 1993,

proved that Nigerian will always rise for the right

As we celebrate Democracy day,

we remember souls lost,

voices silenced

and time sacrificed.

June 12, 1993,

a day calendar will never forget

A date our coming generation will heard of.

 © SULAIMON KHALID 

- Nigeria

The poet persona celebrates the Democracy Day of Nigeria, June 12. The bard praises Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and others who stood for democracy in 1993. The speaker says this memory is ever green in the heart of the world.