The Real Outcasts Poem by Dela Bobobee

I know that my Uju really loves me
but this our society won’t let me be
I know the depths I do also love her
but all my deaf parents won’t hear
a choice I made to marry an outcast
know ye now that die is already cast
as they threatened hell me to disown
I know that I ‘m now really on my own

they slur my love Uju an Osu outcast
but why must she now atone the past
erase futile wrongs she knows nothing
why forefathers’ despicable something
tarnish descendant of sacrificial slaves
if really modern world civilization saves
frowns all ridicule and ignoble servitude
who then be the real outcasts in attitude

much soulful would our children’s future
look like in their oust for scornful torture
in spawning many generations of stigma
in the hands of this anachronistic dogma
O my love, these answers could be found
in the belief this now our love so profound
we against this unjust puny societal walls
with little faith the Jericho stronghold falls

nobles they termed outcasts they do envy
for their sheer beauty and riches so heavy
shameless caps in hands they rush borrow
greedy double standards pervert in sorrow
have heart my love, see their rejected stone
they will soon adorn as their life cornerstone
our strength is in elemental forces of change
time sees all scars without wounds as strange



Written by
Dela Bobobee©


DEDICATION: I dedicate this poem to all victims of discrimination, segregation, stigma and ridicule. A particular reference is made in this poem to decry the Osu caste system, which unfortunately still persists even up to today in some remote areas in the eastern part of Nigeria, especially when it comes the issue of intermarriages. Why should man be born free but everywhere seen in chains wrought by societal evil machinations? Everything in me rejects all ignoble forms of cast systems as anachronistic traditions. It is indeed high time we jettison some unpleasant norms as sour sights in our societies. - Dela