The Handshake Poem by Patrick Akhudu

The race was restively run
And winner wistfully determined.
Loser cried foul and petitioned.
Dreaded Dispute was born
And grew into troublesome tumult.

He stole my victory, again!
Concede defeat, inherent loser!
The Jury has stood with me!
I shall revisit this matter! Wakora!
Threats and intimidations, you despot? !
You will meet full force of the law!
I'll pay for justice with my life!
The Seat is mine; no power vacuum!
We resist impunity; down with demagogues!
Move on! Allow us to work!
I'm sworn in as The People's Leader!
Empty coronation! The law is clear!
Bullets, Tear gas, detentions, Deportations…
Come! Baby, come!

Stop it! Brothers, stop it!
Retreat and reflect deeply
Our land stands out great!
Greater than any individual.

Shake hands of truce.
Sit together and talk.
Discuss the malady of our land:
Division, selfishness, corruption…
You'll secure the land's prosperity!
Forgiveness is divine.

I stretch my hand,
Dear brother.
And I take your hand,
My brother.
This dissent stops here!

In this new beginning,
May we stand firm
To bridge existing gaps
And secure our goals of peace and justice.
May we, henceforth,
Pour only new wine into new wine-skins.
May we end ethnic divisions today
And remain bonded forever!

We are saving our children
From ourselves
We are fighting for their souls
And giving them a life-cycle
Beyond ourselves!
We must together in diversity
Strengthen our land.
This dissent has stopped here!