Blood We Shed | Emmanuel Inya Otu-Nwachi

The blood
We shed cries
To the highest heaven
For vengeance more
Than the blood of Abel;

How much more blood
Of innocents do we have
To shed before our consciences
Are awakened and our numbness
And inertia are destroyed?

How long shall we
Cry over the loss of loved ones
Who are daily murdered
For no cause at all
And are sent to graves untimely
Burying wealth upon wealth
Talents upon talents
Pauperising our nation
Desecrating the land?

How much more blood
Is to be shed before our leaders
Can stand up and say,
Enough is enough!
Never again!
When shall it be?
Or we're doomed fore'er
In this opprobrium
Of man's inhumanity to his kind?

Poet's note: "Blood we shed' decries the killing of human beings in Nigeria as well as different parts of the world. It challenges political office holders to take the issue of the killings serious and to take necessary action and measures to make sure the unnecessary spilling of human blood is stopped.