Names In The Dust Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCD EFGF HIJI BKKL MNON PKMK QORO KSKS

They fell not as criminalsA
But as voices too bold for silenceB
Their tongues like flint against the wallC
A truth the tyrants fearedD
-
The gallows swung with heavy shameE
But not for those who diedF
The guilt like smoke still chokes the hallsG
Where justice should resideF
-
Years have rolled their mournful drumsH
And now the state extends its handI
A pardon draped in woven praiseJ
Posthumous proud and plannedI
-
But pardon speaks not innocenceB
It only whispers peaceK
It soothes the guilt of distant thronesK
But leaves the wound beneathL
-
Honour comes with laurels lateM
Placed gently on the graveN
Yet names in dust still cry for lightO
Not flowers or flags they craveN
-
What of the truth What of the lieP
That crowned them with disgraceK
Until the law lifts off the weightM
Their chains remain in placeK
-
Exoneration is the dawnQ
That breaks the long dark nightO
The word that writes them back to lifeR
In justice flame and rightO
-
So honour them with sacred wordsK
And pardon if you mustS
But dare to cleanse their sullied namesK
From memory stone and dustS

Gilbert Sordebabari
(C) All Rights Reserved. Poem Submitted on 06/13/2025

Poet's note: Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni nine deserves exoneration and not presidential pardon. This poem is to the Nigerian government and judiciary to review the judgement that sentenced Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni to death. That judgement is one of the worst in Nigerian history and it's high time we right our wrongs. Exonerating Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni nine will clear the gaze for both Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ogoni nine and the federal republic of Nigeria.




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About Names In The Dust

Names In The Dust is a poem by Gilbert Sordebabari. This page includes the poem text, poet information, related topics, comments, and similar poems.



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