HOPE OF THE DISPLACED

I know it will be a surprise to you
Receiving this hopeful note of plea
Form our war torn Sierra Leone
It is me, your friend, Mohammed
Consider how I lost my right foot
A price I paid to the rebel war.

You will be blessed to give constantly
Your descendants will prosper unceasingly
To third, fourth and fifth generations
For the assistance you caused to be
To acquire this artificial limb of mine
That drags me along desolated byways

On the invasion of January the sixth
AFRC/RUF juntas attacked Freetown
My house was completely burnt down
Like many other houses, the inferno raged
Our years of labour went with the flames
I am finished and have no where to sleep

My daughter was shot on the leg
She is on admission ever since
We are the wretched of the earth
Roaming the evil forests of death
Straining for living without limbs
Begging for alms by the side walk

I plan to build a mud house
When the dry season comes
Just to get out of the camps.
The thought of you gives me hope
I rely on you, O! My redeemer
Just as you have provided before

With some money and strength
I’ll build four singles and a parlour
For myself and my dependants
Help me buy some housing needs
Just to get out of the encampment
To live like a human, not a cow

It is not your wish for me to suffer
Nor would you like me to perish
Ease my life from further straining
With your blessed natural endowment
You are the hope of the displaced
We look unto you, our big brother, Nigeria