1 Poem by Bola Opaleke

DAYS OF DOOM

I lived in the days of sunshine

When stars literally grew from our palms

And the moonlight soft kisses upon our lips

Made our love stories sweet.

I lived in the days of giants

Where twas impossible to sit

For every new day brought new demand

To keep pace with the racing world.

I lived in the days of angels

Girls that shone brightly like the evening sun

Females, fresh like morning dew

Time when womanhood was shaped after the heart.

I lived in the days of great men

Napoleon, Arthur and Ghandi

Great Alexander, Lincoln, Haile Selassie

Days when our only weakness was our strength.

I lived in the days of Diana

Time, when fairies scrambled to know men

The earth underneath our feet was of diamonds

So we can only make love like gods.

I lived in the days of great warriors

Achilles, Hercules and Hector

Days when kingdom were built and empires formed

Time when our lives was crafted in Honor.

I live in the days of Obama, Mandela and Ali

Days when records were broken and history made

I live to witness white and black make beautiful babies

And watch the world unite to make dreams come true.

Sadly, I live in the days of technology

Where men are nothing but toys

And every little nudge provoke war,

Wars fought with robots from private bedrooms.

Hmmm. I live only in the glory of yesterday

For all the virtues of old presently counted for nothing

The future a million years backwards

Where every passing breeze brings a warning of doom.


Bionote

Bola Opaleke was born in Ede, a village on the banks of River Osun in the western part of Nigeria. He attended the renowned Obafemi Awolowo University where he graduated with honors. Upon his relocation to Winnipeg he acquired a diploma in Addictions and Community Service. A number of his poems and essays were published in his undergraduate days and he has been privileged to deliver speeches at seminars and workshops. In 2012, his first collection of poems “A Note From Hell,” was published. His work prominently features the abject poverty of Africa and the eroded societal values and culture. Email: abimbolaopaleke@yahoo.ca