Letter To July Poem by Motunrayo Yusuf

LETTER TO JULY

Dear July,
I salute the power in those four letters
As they make me shiver when combined.

The candle's flame dances to the rhythm of my heartbeat
As papa told me about you.

He told me of how seas and oceans collided.
How plans, rods and irons cooked in heat,
And how true colours protruded.

He told me of the counter against secessions
Of the innocent screams, weeps, moans, yells and cries.
They all took the 1960's orders of go ahead from you, dear July.

Oh! July, July
I also heard of how famers strive to pay their homage.
For a little downpour to green their soil.

With greed and contempt
You sent down heavy rods instead,
You flushed all nutrient
Taking along roofs, houses and even breathe.
Leaving trees homeless and fruits unclad.

From the whoosh of the breeze at night
I could hear the voices and cries
Oh! Papa was right.

As I wiped the tears off my face
I now could see the scars
On the walls, trees and grounds; they surface

Oh! Dear July,
Your leaves are remarkable traces.