Worn Nigeria
By Chudi Okoye
How great it was to be Born Nigerian!
Long long ago, in our mass hysteria
We felt elated, as with keen mysteria
Simply to be citizens of One Nigeria
We grew up knowing a Fun Nigeria
We had our fill of her, like Bun Nigeria
And played mild games of Pun Nigeria
Yes, we sweated so much in Sun Nigeria
So hot was this place, our Own Nigeria
But we felt proud to be Sons of Nigeria
As if we had all, all of us, Won Nigeria
Alas, today we are wasted in Worn Nigeria
All around abound signs of Torn Nigeria
Some of us, mild ones, feel it’s Yawn Nigeria
And these types just want to Shun Nigeria
Others, dispirited, think it is Done Nigeria
They too are minded to Scorn Nigeria
Many even say it is truly Gone Nigeria
And these have decided to Spurn Nigeria
Some folks, in fact, want to Stun Nigeria
Or, maddened, are moved to Burn Nigeria
Maybe that’s why everywhere it’s Gun Nigeria
Day after day there’s news to Mourn Nigeria
So much death, it’s a macabre Porn Nigeria
Even now, bandits who are Non-Nigerians
Are riding sullen citizens to Churn Nigeria
Since we elected their own to Run Nigeria
So now, patriots of this fallen phenom
Join me to sing in notional tandem
The lyrics of a new national anthem
Dirge for a country created at random
By imperialists who cared not an atom:
Abide, O Cowed Patriots
Nigeria’s call delay
We’ve lost our fatherland
Thru fear and greed and vice
The labors of our heroes past
Have so far been in vain
We create with heart and spite
A nation lacking freedom, peace and unity
How labored to love, still, this Lost Nigeria!
(First draft: June 2nd, 2021)
