I
As so deep in our keep,
herdsmen strike endlessly,
cattle battle in a baffle,
just a peep in our seep.

Constant turmoil,
from humour of herdsmen,
no longer so strange,
or new in Nigeria,
full of rapes,
kidnappings or killings.

II
As we weep in our neep,
herdsmen stride boldly,
cattle prattle in a rattle,
just a beep in our beef.

Constant pain,
from bane of herdsmen,
no longer as evil or sin in Nigeria,
full of gimmickries,
mimicries or fancies.

III
As so reap from our heap,
herdsmen glide safely,
cattle cantle in a mantle,
just a blow in our glow.

Constant horrors,
from errors of herdsmen,
no longer as safe or friendly in Nigeria,
full of dreads,
threats or deaths.

Ben Ezeohagwu won the Onigraffiks Prize for literature (2017).  He is Professor of Graphonomy and Chancellor, African American University, Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin and can be reached at Email: benezeohagwu@yahoo.com, www.africanamericanuniversity.org, 08173175540.

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