DEADLY DEVOTION

By Nkiruka Omeke

I have given years of productivity to the altars of false devotion
An indelible enigma that maimed my innocence
Given utmost consideration to beguiling doctrines which annihilated me in the guise of attaining future glory
I have given to the altars of false beings
Who delight in darkness and prey on oblivion
Teaching me to hide in the illusion of refinement
My conscience has been turned from pure reason
I have joined in the condemnation of the poor
While profiting from their hard work
Partook in the exploitation of the vulnerable
I collaborated in the manipulation of a desperate father
Convincing him his daughter was cursed
I turned a blind eye to the struggles of young men
Whose daily labour yields nothing
I have looked upon the molestation of young women with displeasure
My silence was complicity
I have disregarded the counsel of the wise
In blind followership
Savouring the taste of privilege
At tables I believed I was welcome at
Lost in darkness
I cursed at the little children and spoke vile words to my neighbour
Mocked ancient relics at the same altar on which I proclaim god
I have brought forth the children born of me
In naivety they have obeyed and withstood every scrutinizing moment
Trusting my judgement of ingratiating the Holy man
The life of my firstborn son was claimed on account of religious extremism
A lifelong remorse
My ardent commitment to the service of a blind Leader precipitated a rift between my beloved and I
My adversity sparked introspection
Take no more! I cried
My hopelessness overwhelming me
I have been stretched on every end
Patience, a virtue, held me in that ignorant state
From the ruins I will rise and walk on
My children in arms as though we have survived a war not fought with guns
Wrapped in silence yet held together by the promise of hope.