Jungle by Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku

JUNGLE
            --Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku

This jungle is that land
Where the future is webbed in desolate dreams
And each thread of hope is dried up
Like a lake cut off from a life-giving stream.

This jungle is that land
Where the dagger-hoofed beasts, masters of loot
Trample on the frail masses, earnestly
Whetting their callous knife of greed
Ploughing the people's patrimony to fill their porous pockets.

This jungle is that land
Where impunity culture is gloried so high
Because her laws are too weak to fight a just cause
Where depraved dealings spread wildly like a leprous sore
Overwhelming victims with its maddening juiciness;
The sharpest knife is the bluntest.

This jungle is that land
Where talents and lofty ideas die unharnessed
Under the very watch of her leaders--
Leaders who live only for themselves
Leaving behind dusty footmarks for a legacy; the led
Grope in continued and deep-seated blackout
After seasons of miscarriage promises.

This jungle is that land
Where life is unsafe, and like ill-fated cows
Children, youths, men and women bearing hope of better days
Are butchered daily in tons and many more led away
In broad daylight to be caged in caves
Where their freedom is bartered for a ransom.

This jungle is that land
Where the "change" that lagged last,
Limping along on the arm of time
Changed her flag bearers
Choking the masses who had hungered and thirsted for it.
Did we not know change is a two-bagger slang
That we failed to ask which was to come?

Yes, this jungle is that land
Where the growing suckers that had survived
The bleak days, egged on by the need to undo the change
Shall in time; once and forever;
Lift the banner of hope.

Meet the Poet
Amadi Ekwutosilam Njoku,author of ERAZ Literature-in-English (Critical Analysis) for senior secondary schools, hails from Amasiri in Afikpo North, Ebonyi State. He is a poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, literary essayist and critical analyst. He resides in Lagos where he has taught the English language and Literature-in-English in many schools and SSCE/UTME examination coaching centres. Some of his poems have appeared in Saturday's Daily Sun Newspaper-a bimonthly publication, and other national dailies. He is currently with DORSSY HIGH SCHOOL, Moshalashi, Akowonjo, Lagos where he is a preceptor of the same subjects. He has also to his credits, many unpublished works across the three genres of literature. His pastimes include reading, researching, and writing.

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