When? Poem by David Oluwatobi Akinola

When will I stop seeing the arrival of Army Aircrafts whenever I wake up?
And start seeing the usual arrival of a bright warm sun.

When will I stop seeing paratroopers fall to the earth?
And start taking pleasure in watching my withering tree as it sheds its leaves.

When will I stop seeing children running, crying and dying?
And start seeing children running, laughing and playing.

When will I stop seeing soldiers carrying bags of Ammo?
And start seeing civil servants carry their portfolios.

When will I stop seeing the military camouflage as often I do?
And start seeing school children in their uniforms as I did.

When will I stop hearing the rolling sounds of bullets been fired?
And start hearing the rolling sounds of drumsticks being played.

When will I stop seeing projectiles flying over my head like birds?

When will I stop seeing grenades been thrown like stones?

When will I stop seeing Semi’s and Machine Guns appearing to be toys?

When will I stop experiencing curfews and few minutes of ceasefire?
And start experiencing a prolonged ceasefire

When will I stop seeing the number of patients in the A and E sections of hospitals on the increase?
And start seeing patients being happy because they’ve been discharged.

When will I stop seeing truckloads of carcasses?
And start seeing truckloads of refuse.

When will I stop drinking red water?
And start drinking my favorite red wine.

When will I?
When will I?

Or is it when I die?