Today is the 15th of January 2021. A day set aside by my country to remember our fallen heros ( soldiers who died serving the nation)
But something happened during the ceremony today,when our president tried to free the pidgeons ,the Birds of Honour refused to fly .
So I wrote this poem in honour of the dead soldiers and to call for institutional changes . A bit long but I just needed to pour out my heart.
The Birds Refused to Fly
They died serving by fighting Fighting for us to live while Giving us life,lost theirs instead In the prime of life for a nation A nation without a soul
One died leaving a father the Other a mother and wife
Yet another siblings and lover.
Was It worth it at all?
Do we truly deserve such huge Sacrifices?
None to look after their backs.
No one goes to check how well they laid and slept .
It looks just like wasted Sacrifices.
For nothing seem to have Changed since they left us
Then came again the fifteenth Of January.
They roll out the big drums.
All adorned in spotless 'Agbadas' to dance on their Graves yet again.
They laid the wreaths
And set to free the birds but the Birds of Honour will not fly.
Why should they?
The land bleeds,sick, wreaks of Evils untold.
The ground is soaked in Blood,the blood of the innocent.
Looting, kidnapping the order of The day.
The white birds cannot fly in a State of oppression.
They will never fly where blood Stains are addendum to our National flag.
Neither can they fly where Hopes are daily dashed and Many flee to a safer abode.
Still they cannot fly where Hands are soiled
Why will they fly where ears are Blocked to the wailings from the Poor.
No,they can never flip- flap their Wings to do him the honour.
Yes, they can not even if they had wanted to
Bring me the cotton -buds!
Get me the ear drops
Prepare the theatre
Call the surgeon
Let the surgery begin.
When it is finally over
With hearing restored
A fleshy heart in place
The cries of many he will hear
And he will hasten to amend.
Wiping the orphan's tears
Soothing the widow's heart
Planting beautiful smile on
Parents' faces.
Then maybe just then
The Honour Birds will fly .
My dear Sister Chinyere,
Thank you so much for this poem. What I read through it all is the call of a woman for us all to imagine a world in which there is no more needing to mourn losses of lives in wars, in a world we build together in which there is no more war. I believe in building this world together, and that it is in the rising of women's voices that we step closer to this dream.
What a beautiful poem dear.❤
Thanks Sis!
This is a beautiful poem. I sense pain, heartache and liberation. Women have power. Together we shall rise. Stay strong.
Wow, the birds refused to fly!
Sometimes nature does speak to you. You paint such a dismal picture of the state of the nation and the neglectful leadership. May hope sprout one day my sister. For Nigeria and the whole of Africa.
Hi Chinyere,
Your poem is so beautiful and so haunting. You served up a proper dose of reality. How the fallen heros can never truly be properly served/honored in the realm of war, sacrifice and memorial. The reason for spilled blood can never be quantified or qualified. The birds not flying is poignant. And I even "Googled" reasons why pigeons wouldn't fly. But nothing added up other than divine intervention with a point to be made, and hopefully someone would get. Tag...you got it! Hence the heartfelt poem. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Hugs...JoMarie
Amen Sis! Thanks a million
Dear sister Chy,
What a heartfelt poem that honors the heroes of your country. What a loving response from the observation of pigeons refusing to fly. How powerful nature speaks, the pigeons were witnesses to the pain and sorrow your country is going through. I'm simply amazed at how they were one with you.
Your poem made me teary-eyed. Thank you for sharing with you, brave woman of Nigeria! Your country has hope because of women like you.
Dear sis Chinyere
Thanks for the beautiful poetic words ..the soldier loss their lives to build....there's no glory in war but songs of victory comes when there's freedom. Together we build for a great nation and world.
Waiting to read more of your wisdom.
My pleasure Sis! I am deeply humbled.
Bon poème et merci pour le partage
This is such a beautiful poem. You are such a talented writer, Chinyere! I am sure half of the country was not surprised by the occurrence, a lot has been going on in our country and its getting worse by the day. I doubt the birds would fly in a long time until we decide to stick under one umbrella to fix our country so we can all move forward.
Thanks Sis Barry! I pray all should get well with our country Nigeria so the Honour Birds can fly again.
Sometimes I think of the families of the soldiers how they have to give their lives and how brave their families are. This is so painful to think about this. I just hope and pray that our politicians keeps and focus agendas of love so no one has to die so no one has to live in fears so no one has to sacrifice