My Broken Dreams Poem by Tony Adah

I am a stilt dancer
In my fragile prances
I look down to see my heritage;
My allure is dampened
As fish die where they lay
And the crops wilt where they grow.

I take my gourd to the stream
To quench my thirst, god have mercy
The waters wear a miniscule of oil
On its head
Rigs spit a gale of fumes
And the wind suck my breath;
Death won't come now
I am asphyxiated and trapped;
To Abuja there's no road from here
Underneath, my house is wearing a new look
Where the shiny slicks capture the breath
Of those living in the water;
I and them pant in oblivion
And I am waiting for my stilted house
To fling open its door and let me in
Into the darkest of the new night
With my broken dreams.