We, the people, have abandoned our farmlands
We forgot the hunt
as we merrily eat the fruits, yams, and chickens
of the dominant stranger who has come
into townwith bells, trumpets, and drums
dancing to his fresh and enchanting beats and rhythms
basking in the comfort he provides.
Who said the superficial cannot be sweet?
But we discover that he sucks our blood craftily.
So we demand justice
That he must restitute,
That he must repay,
with tons of large fishes and herds of prime cattle
if he wants to keep playing in our lands and selling to us.
Suddenly, the arrogant dominator
snarls, complains, and threatens to leave town.
So trembling, fear envelopes us,
Does this mean no more succulent fruits, fresh vegetables?
Will the days of dance be gone?
Will we survive?
Yet,
We forgot the hunt
We abandoned our farmlands
We lost the connection to our source
for the treats of the deadly stranger.
Unwatered lands bear no harvest.
Author: Jide Awe
Science, Technology and Innovation policy advisor.
Find him on Threads @iamjidaw on threads
Find him on Twitter @jidaw
Foreign Technology and Local Innovation: Sustainability in the Digital Era