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Nicholas Bamikeh Godwin started writing poetry at an early age. He had his first poem published in the School Magazine of his secondary school in Freetown, the Albert Academy. He was also once a regular contributor to the poet's corner of the "For di People" newspaper, also in Freetown. The civil war in Sierra Leone forced him and his family to seek refuge in neighbouring Guinea. He was resettled in the USA in 2004 and within 18 months had his poems published in no fewer than three anthologies. He was featured in "The International Who's Who in Poetry-2005", and is the recipient of the Editor's Choice Award from poetry.com and the International Library of Poetry for outstanding achievement in poetry. He currently lives in North Carolina, USA. |
O what a life in Africa
I had to come America
From Sierra Leone on to Guinea
From banker to a refugee
How could people be so heartless
And put thousands into a mess
So many killed and limbs cut off
They did not seem to have enough
Houses burnt down and women raped
And some even had it all taped
Ears cut off eyeballs plucked out
They got happy to hear you shout
Small boys and girls all given arms
To kill people in their own farms
Into their hands they took the law
They knew not when the line to draw
And then they say we should forgive
And welcome them with us to live
But most of them do not repent
And our anger we cannot vent
Those who hurt us got paid for that
But their victims are still down flat
All we wait for is Judgement Day
When God all wages He will pay
1.The widow came from Waterloo
To buy some fish and sell "foo-foo"
But on the way
To her dismay
Found she could only say "moo-moo"
2.The teenager from Hamilton
Wanted to drink some lime and gin
Her father said
You will be dead
If you must live this life of sin
3.The soccer star from Wilberforce
Found out he was under a curse
And if at all
He touched a ball
It rightaway turned to a horse
4.The civil servant from Regent
Had no money to pay his rent
He left the house
With one poor mouse
And said" I will stay in a tent"
5.The actor said he came from Bo
And he was good and active so
But on the stage
Put on a rage
And everyone told him to go
6.He went to church to save his soul
That was his one and only goal
But when he fought
In church and court
He was sent down into the hole
7.A refugee from Liberia
Went on to live in Nigeria
But he said "Ah
It's still Africa
I want to live in Siberia
8.He said he came from Conakry
Going on to Takoradi
To his dismay
He lost his way
And ended up in Kigali
9.The old school teacher from Ghana
Found out he was a slow learner
His pupils said
Just use your head
And treat us in the same manner
10.He asked the judge "What's the reason
That you should charge me with treason
The Head of State
Is an ingrate
It's he who should be in prison
When you find out you cannot smile
Your mouth goes long as River Nile
When funds are low and rent is due
And clothes you only have a few
Do not give up keep on pressing
Or you will miss the Lord's blessing
When sickness comes to put you down
When you can't laugh but always frown
When your good friends from you depart
You want to climb but fall down flat
Do not give up keep on pressing
Or you will miss the Lord's blessing
When you feel like you want to weep
And when night comes you cannot sleep
When bills are due you cannot pay
And always lose at games you play
Do not give up keep on pressing
Or you will miss the Lord's blessing
When the day seems to be so dark
And many things you seem to lack
When it may seem that all is lost
And you can find no one to trust
Do not give up keep on pressing
Or you will miss the Lord's blessing
If God should come down and meet us
I wonder how He will treat us
Will He let us look at His face
Will others rush to sing His praise
If God should come and live with us
Will He try riding on a horse
In which country will He come stay
Will He still want us all to pray
O the questions people will ask
Is it alright to wear a mask
Why do we walk and do not fly
Why did you let my father die
Why do some bad people live long
Why are some weak and others strong
Why are innocent people killed
Why some patients are never healed
Why did you make some black some white
Why did you make some lose their sight
Why did you make Africa poor
And why should we obey the law
'Twill all be questions and requests
There'll be no seventh day to rest
But God knows that and says "No way
You will see me on Judgement Day"