POEM: Boy on a Tree by Gospel Okoro

 

On a tree,

I hear jungle drums;

speakers of the heart of ancient spirits,silent

at the boisterous waves of the West Sea.

The innocence of the sea is raped by the barrel of a gun

its bank now serve as a burial ground for slaves

and the market where women sold garri and beans

now turns to a commercial zone of skulls and bones.

On the tree,

I can see the lappa that kissed the twin milk goddess on my mother's chest

exchanged for a string of two cups hung on the shoulder

and my Father's goat horn exchanged for a piece of glass.

From the top of the tree,

I reach out to hold the blue sky

for light from the brutal hands of the boisterous waves of the West Sea.

Where is the birth of my heritage?

Gospel Okoro is currently a student of English and Literary Studies in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is a innate writer of fiction and inspiration work. He seeks to impact the younger generation positively promoting positive changes in his environment. He believes words shape a person as they are continually heard. Hence, he also does public speaking and spoken words poetry to pass on the message of change. Aside from writing and speaking, he also loves music which forms part of his well of inspiration.