POEMS BY OZIOMA ONUZULIKE
THE WATCHMAN

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PERSONAL STATEMENTS | "WEEKEND SEX" WITH GOLD CIRCLE CONDOM | YEAR 2000 | WHER ARE THE TRUTH'S PEOPLE? | TRUTH | THE ROAD TO NSUKKA | RE-CREATION | GROUNDNUT | YOUTH | NEW DEMOCRACY | HEALING | MILLENNIUM SONG | WINGLESS TERMITES | EMPTY RITUAL | MIRAGE | OKADA | METAMORPHOSIS | TIMING | COUGH | DOGS AND THEIR WATER IN BROKEN POTS | BURDEN OF THE SONGBIRD | NIGHT FLIGHT TO LAGOS | RETRURING POLITICIANS | THE WATCHMAN | EARTH AND THE MADMAN

 
 

You listen to the claps

of a burning bush

and the funereal sobs

of a smouldering bush

 

You listen to the air

rushing into your front gate,

the breathing of your hair

and the silent drumming

of your big engine

 

You stand out of a crowd

of friends

to watch red ants

in their cheerful hand shakes

while scaling the earthen wall

 

In the ancient Mali were the griots;

Today is you.

You...

           The watchdog

           The great chastener

           of today's abominations

Do not slumber!

Never you slumber!

For you appreciate the cries

Of a spoilt chair

Under the oppression

Of a giant!

 

Nsukka, 1994

 

Copy right by Ulonka and Ozioma Onuzuluike, 2002

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