Poem: “Not My Business” by Niyi Osundare

Not My Business

They picked Akanni up one morning
Beat him soft like clay
And stuffed him down the belly
Of a waiting jeep.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

They came one night
Booted the whole house awake
And dragged Danladi out,
Then off to a lengthy absence.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

Chinwe went to work one day
Only to find her job was gone:
No query, no warning, no probe –
Just one neat sack for a stainless record.

What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?

And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.

The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.

— Niyi Osundare

Code for a Happy Life

2021-2025 SSCE Recommended Texts

About Literature PADI 25 Articles
Everything Literature. Contact Us: literaturepadi@gmail.com or admin@literaturepadi.com.ng.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*