SprinNG
  • Publications
    • Anthologies >
      • ETB Anthology
      • AEAnthology
      • WAD Anthology
      • CBS Anthology
      • 2020 Why I Write
      • 2019 Why I Write
    • Interviews
    • Book Reviews
  • Submit
    • Submit to Us
    • Nigerian Writers Database
  • Fellowship
    • Writing Fellowship
    • Advancement Fellowship
  • Contests
    • Monthly Bookstore Gift-card
    • Annual Poetry Contest
    • SWAP >
      • SWAP 2022 Winners
      • SWAP 2021 Winner
      • SWAP 2020 Winner
  • SprinNG Lit
  • Services
    • Resume/CV Editing Services
    • Cover Letter Editing
    • Bio/Personal Statement Editing
  • Donate
  • About
    • Annual Report
    • Quicklinks

Fig Tree BY Samson Kefas Galadima

11/11/2019

7 Comments

 
How can an eagle that was born to fly sit in a coop lonely and feeble?
How can a flower that sprout to blossom now wither and fade away?
Not to talk of a star that was created to glitter now rest in the Milky Way lusterless 
 
Shall the sun continue to slumber, when it is dawn already?
What if I call you the priest and not the Good Samaritan?
What if I call you the evil stepmother and never the beautiful Cinderella? 
What if I tell you that depression is now a butcher bird that impales its prey?

What if I tell you that my country is now a war-torn city? 
With walls painted with the blood of saints?
What if I tell you that the demons of destruction are celebrating their tenth year 
of feasting on our blood?
In my head, I reminisce it all
How my deafening silence sealed the fate of the voiceless, 
now my pen bleeds with ink from the ocean of guilt
 
Now my pen speaks for it is better late than never 
For my eyes, I can see clearer 
The pervasion of justice, the acquittal of the culprits
The subjugation of the minority emboldens the clout of the majority
 
This is not democracy but hypocrisy
My eyes have seen the double standards
My ears have heard the contradictions
The incarceration of patriots and activists,
 the celebration of villains is the new trend
And I ask when will all these torturous trails end?
 
The trafficking of humans, the escalation of rape of cases
The deafening silence of the voice of reason rubs mud on our collective faces
This nation is a giant penitentiary
Where there is no justice and equality 
 
With pain, I paint it all,
The failure of a poetic being feeling hapless 
Yet hopeful,
I fight to bid farewell to my comfort zone
As I embrace the purpose of my truest calling - I rise.

Samson Kefas Galadima is a vibrant young poet who hails from Gombe, in North-eastern Nigeria. He is a student of Business Administration at Gombe State University. He enjoys writing, music, stimulating conversations, creative think tanks, and adventurous travels. He is currently the president of Creative Club, Gombe State University.
7 Comments
Maryam
16/11/2019 07:58:14 am

The poem applaudably begins with comparison which shows unwillingness of a capable person/thing to achieve its objective. The write thereafter settles into the crux of the matter, the unending violence in recent years in Nigeria.
Most importantly I love the title... Fig trees... which I had to check up. It is used an idiom to show invisibility.
The writer makes a strong and vehement statement against his past invisibility to round off

Reply
Samson Kefas Galadima
19/11/2019 11:36:51 pm

Thank you dear Maryam.

Reply
Onafuye Peace Yetunde link
20/11/2019 12:47:27 am

Brilliant.

This poem explores various contradictions in life using necessary imagery and situations. The build up is captivating; it's a whole ride from generalizations to that of a hopeless and corrupt entity (stanzas 3, 4, and 5). But all hope is not lost. The poet is hopeful and will pursue his purpose.

Reply
Samson Kefas Galadima
20/2/2020 02:11:11 am

Thanks so much for going through my piece.

Reply
FELIX
6/12/2019 10:26:34 am

Powerful. Awesome.

I love the attention-arresting introduction of the poem. I equally love the pacing of the poem. The author was in no haste to jump into the crux of the matter.

And the message is timely. Glad the author knows the expediency of speaking out about the ills of our nation.


Also, the author's use of imagery is excellent. And the poem wasn't devoid of clarity which is commendable.

I was glad to know that the author hasn't accommodated hopelessness.

Thank you for speaking out, Samson. All of us, who have the privilege to use the power of words, must resist sealing the fate of the voiceless with deafening silence.

Reply
Samson Kefas Galadima
20/2/2020 02:13:10 am

Thanks for sparing out time to review my piece.

Reply
Shuaibu Sani Bilayabu
12/1/2021 08:10:59 pm

This Piece is Awesome, the Symbols are Carefully Placed, and Very Educative, yet Entertaining.

The author is Skillfully Artful. Kudus!!!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    The SprinNG 2023 Brochure

    SprinNG Quicklinks
    About SprinNG
    Contests
    Anthologies
    Interviews
    Book Reviews
    Nigerian Writers Database
    Recommended Literary Sites
    Writers Fellowship

      Subscribe to SprinNG Newsletters
    Subscribe

    For inquiries regarding publications email: 
    contact@SprinNG.org 
    ​and we will respond to you within 48hrs.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE SPRINNG 2023 BROCHURE

Copyright @SprinNG 2023
​

  • Publications
    • Anthologies >
      • ETB Anthology
      • AEAnthology
      • WAD Anthology
      • CBS Anthology
      • 2020 Why I Write
      • 2019 Why I Write
    • Interviews
    • Book Reviews
  • Submit
    • Submit to Us
    • Nigerian Writers Database
  • Fellowship
    • Writing Fellowship
    • Advancement Fellowship
  • Contests
    • Monthly Bookstore Gift-card
    • Annual Poetry Contest
    • SWAP >
      • SWAP 2022 Winners
      • SWAP 2021 Winner
      • SWAP 2020 Winner
  • SprinNG Lit
  • Services
    • Resume/CV Editing Services
    • Cover Letter Editing
    • Bio/Personal Statement Editing
  • Donate
  • About
    • Annual Report
    • Quicklinks