In My Lifetime

In my lifetime
I may not see you
become that I earnestly wish.

In their opinion
we were monkeys livin’ on tress
before they came and made us men.

We’re a conquered nation –
the wandering Jews of Africa, but
in my viewpoint – I‘m the hope of Africa.

As time awaits your second birth
my heart swells with pride –
I am the son of the rising sun.

I am, not because some treasure seekers gave
me that identity, I was before Frederick Lugard
drank from my river at Imo. I am Igbo.

Copyright © Ugo Nkwoala | Spilledwoords.org | 2020