Rome And Building | Emmanuel Inya Otu-Nwachi

Rome wasn't built
In a day but if the Roman's
Hadn't kept at it
If they hadn't worked hard
Adding block upon block
Sweating in the sun and rain
Rome wouldn't be built at all.

But wicked, selfish leaders
Use the Roman saying
To hide their ineptitude
And misappropriation to cover
The billions they squander.

Since Rome wasn't built
In a day it means we've to continue
Working, continue building
Putting block upon block
Building on past gains
Our mistakes teaching us
Creating enabling environments
To consolidate the future.

If Roman leaders squandered
Rome's wealth because building
Wouldn't end in a day
Rome wouldn't be built at all.

That Rome wasn't built in a day
Doesn't mean we've got
To rest on our oars
Folding our hands, doing nothing
Watching the times
And opportunities pass by,
Other nations overtake us
And we remain stagnated.

Poet's note: The phrase "Rome was not built in a day" is a common saying. But a critical look at the saying would reveal that it is abused because leaders use it to justify their not working. The poem tries to correct the wrong impression. The poet says the real meaning of the phrase is that leaders and the people need to work hard to consolidate on the gains of the past.