By Victor Uzodinma Chukwuma
51. Children in War
At the feeding Centre,
We gathered in one spirit,
Telling tales, lovely tales,
While our privation stood sentry,
Hands akimbo by the roadside.
At home near the village centre,
Mothers all gathered in strong spirit,
Thinking and wondering
While their privation stood sentry,
Hands akimbo by them.
When we are the feeding Centre,
Without a care in the world,
The world that knows us not,
We are happy with our ration,
Mothers are happy with the notion.
52. Ritualists’ Captives
Despondent heart,
With mouthful of evanescent chants,
All night warmed their spot.
Then they came,
Took their prayers,
And the abattoir them.
Chained all the while,
They have waited
This decant.
Hopes then tears,
Silent prayers then blood,
All went.
Victor Chukwuma, Professor of Physics, renowned for his immense contribution to the development of Astronomy and Space Science in Nigeria, is a Fellow of the Astronomical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Institute of Physics.
