A Torn In Our Identity Poem by Ben Chukwuemeka Okere II

'A TORN IN OUR IDENTITY'

I am Africa's pride
I glided through the perils of colonialism
I am a craddle of unity that gave peace a ride
Yet our economy still subject to foreign imperialism.

I am a giant, standing tall beyond the African region
An emblem of peace of integrity
Heterogeneous in nature, yet accommodate all men & religion
As I am my brethrens keeper with radiating image of unity.

I have been marginalized for my race
Raped & murdered on the streets of democracy
Suffered international tortured & bruises on my face.
Yet, I stand taller than the Rivers of mississippi

I have been tagged a fraudster & terrorist
A reason I wet my pillows all night
Denied visas as a student, hustler & a tourist
Yet I am called Human with an inalienable right

I slept on the streets of texas, illinois & London
Racially abused, beaten & sent to prison
Swept the streets, washed dishes with reckless abandon
I voiced out to my nation but was tracked down for treason.

I was sent to learn about the holy prophet
But was sodomized behind the mosque
I couldn't scream as the culprit promised to teach me a lesson I will never forget.
I went to the police, they asked, wetin this one dey talk?

At ten, I was sent to block rosary
Our teacher molested me with his finger
I went to the police they asked for evidence despite seeing a blood from my cherry
As it's one in a million that continues to longer.

B. C OKERE II