ALMOST THERE By Akan Essien

 ALMOST THERE 

By Akan Essien

The eight leprosy

toes have sprung

eventually to an end

the clock is ticking

the toes are picking

a few more hours

to their death

Each toe attained 

apiece of stigma

for its unfruitful life

foisted with ease.

The first toe that popped up 

became 

a thoughtless

kick below the belt

unrest shone as day

blood proned when dialled.

The second & third

toes 

interwoven in hoax came calling and          

darkness covered

light

cockroaches fed on

lice and rats

wolfed up bats.

The fourth & fifth toes

mis-walked into fire

kidnapping a sleeping 

       dog and distress

served like dinner

every mountain

vomiting fire.

The sixth and seventh toes tired from

the hurricane of no

direction inspired

brown sugars 

to be eaten

with smiles

not by ants but

mosquitoes they

dragged on their sores.

The eighth leprosy toe

has brought others 

to their bastard end

to sing illicit

praise of worthless

feat

as they attempt

to park their luggage full of meaningless lies

at our terminal mat

We are almost there

the end of hypocrisy

which eight leprosy toes

took from us

in them we

became lepers

with metals

holding medals

which are but petals.

We are almost there 

let liberty whistle

let fresh breathe

beckons

for the snare is broken

and like a bird

we shall fly

Akan Essien

Uyo