Flaw Poem by Haruna Garba

Imagine Africa without it
Where straw take their leave
Imagine!
Imagine Africa without them
where humanity grows multiplex
Imagine Africa without it
where germs find means to flourish
Just imagine!
Imagine Africa without it
Where pilgrimage is cardinal
And the paths are growing ever sandy
Imagine!
Just imagine Africa without it
Less cotton without ginneries
Africa with no indigenous textiles

Come out of pity, come in disguise
Come for charity, come grimy
Come to modernize, come with string
There were the old eyes all astonished
Eyes seduced by incredible wits-
Wits in the hands of freemen-
Men taking for granted divine laws

Beautiful though is the peacock
Accompanying are crooked streaks
Search every nook for them


Crafty as the spider
Hidden deep are abhorrent streaks
Search every cranny for them

Strong though the lion is
Present are obvious flaws
Search hard

Huge though the elephant is
Attendant are repugnant streaks
Search them

Graceful though is the gazelle
A nuisance it is to the little grass
The wind alone should be so free
Not the movers of Colossus feet