Shredding Shield

I grew up reciting the motto of Nigeria
Unity and faith; peace and progress…
Now unity is threatened by our faiths and believes
While peace and progress have both gone to voicemail.

There was this pleasure I derived from drawing
Our Coat of Arm, encoding natural resources
By shading shield black to symbolize our rich soil
Which ought to be our blessings but now, our greatest curse.

There was this satisfaction I got inhaling fragrances
From the abundant flowers that symbolized our beauty
Damn, we are gorgeous! but those days are gone
Ever since the shield broke and flowers began to wither.

There was this confidence I had while growing up
I felt super secured in the pockets of two wings.
Please did you see the Eagle that stood for our strength?
Not these shredded weak feathers falling off from the top.

There was this pleasure I derived from staring
At our great Coat of Arm, I craved to ride on
The left and right horses that symbolized our
Pride and dignity but now, the craving is in the grave.

I grew up admiring the mark on the shield
Which symbolized two great flowing Rivers
That met at a centre, that once upon a time held
The great and mighty; Nigeria, until things fell apart.

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Onyeche Vincent Onyekachukwu