a political ambition begins with you knowing how to
promise free and fair elections that you will rig how to stage a coup—
to assassinate a president and announce his death on the radio
curfew lives suspend a constitution
proclaim a new government— all-military men
identifying yourself as the people’s redemption council
denounce the toppled government for its rampant corruption
thirteen knot-tied and shot dead on a monrovia’s beach
americo-liberian blood teaching the scorched sand the difference
between blood and sweat— as onlookers chant unto your name
“native woman born soldier
congo woman born rogue”
know how to set up a rebel group outside Liberia—
you’ll invade it through the opened mouth of buutuo
recruit children call them small boys unit
recruit young girls call them rebels’ wives
rape kill and cut off the hands they used to vote
know how to breakaway from political parties and how to go back to them
you’re ordained by God to rescue this country—
every political ambition begins with the death of a president
video record his torture — budweiser tango tango
you’re their savior
“you’ll kill their ma you’ll kill their pa they’ll vote for you”
every political ambition is backed with songs
in the thirst of starving youths’ throats
exhausted from carrying the sun in their heads
and rainbow plastic files rating up unemployment
nobody would give a damn
just know how to get married outside of the country—somewhere in paris
send your stolen money and children to europe and the united states
this poem would land me in jail before you even get caught
Photo by Kind and Curious on Unsplash
Emmanuel Olabiyi June 24, 2024 06:03
This is quite hilarious and beautifully crafted. The first and last lines of the piece truly captivates and leaves the reader fulfilled.