WHERE WERE YOU?

The tree died today Ife
Not even the fierce wind could wake it from it's slumber
Even the mighty rain couldn't fill the deep hollow in it's heart

I called down storm, but it's rage weren't enough to convulse it back to life 

So tell me future, where were you when the dead wouldn't wake to the dirge?
When the melody made the bride irate and the newborn wouldn't cry?
Where were you when time stopped to beckon the old to bid goodbye to the new and the present wouldn't gift us a smile

Where were you when the masquerade danced in the market square, but couldn't  get the onlookers to watch, because only misery sells. Where were you when local fries became the dessert for palace dwellers while the hawkers feed fat from the aroma.

It was said that time makes all better,  that wounds will heal in time,and memories from sorrow can slowly fade. We weep still Ife, for the budget that never water our trees, for the ballot that didn't count in hospital, for manifestos that didn't teach our students morals nor our society truth.

So Ife, I am the M missing in the Asses. Today i join in solidarity to demand that the Masses take back their pride.