DILEMMA OF A ROBBER

It's a tough life for a robber.

What do I give you O robber?
To make you sleep with ease at night;
And dream of peace with prosperity,
And dream of the dignity of labour,
Of your mind inventing good,
And your hands in useful employment.

What do I give you O robber?
To make you drop the guns that scare and hurt,
And take from men their life’s delight.
You take their pride and complete joy,
Stripping them their finery and wealth,
And laugh as they shiver in fright.
You laugh aloud as old men tremble,
And young girls hang their heads in shame.

What do I give you O robber?
I teach and you don’t listen,
I sing and you don’t hear,
I plead and you walk on.

Your heart is cold to mother’s cry,
Her gentle instructions you ignore.
You forget that one day soon,
The Judgment-Angel will return
To catch you quick and pay you full
For all your harm and cruelty.

By Kirsten OKENWA, from the manuscript: Poems about Nigeria.