Great Biafrans

I woke up this morning
I had no distinct thought within me
But I had my people in mind
while I continue to pray that it will be over someday

As I watched some video clips on YouTube
Within me, I thought of the lives of innocent victims
The unending sacrifice of my people
as they struggled to defend our land

In some of the horrible video clips
As I saw helpless children in pains
Tears gushing from their eyes
because there was nobody to console them

Many of the innocent victims of war
looked haggard, on bare feet, dried tears on their faces
with arms stretched to the enemies
seeking for mercy and consolations

Many were seen with protruding stomachs
Dying one after the other because of hunger
Kwashiorkor accompanied many to their graves
Only a few survived the shock of the civil war

I heard the cries of the innocent people
The blood of my people littered all over the land
Like a sacrificial lamb for the enemies
Till today, that sacrifice is still carried on

There was no place to seek refuge
Every place was in confusion
The enemies invaded us, taking away our properties
Our fathers, husbands and brothers were held captive

Dead bodies scattered around the corner
There was no time for their burial
Birds and other wild animals
Fed on the remains of our beloved ones

I feel sorry for my people
For the many untold stories and sufferings endured
Now, those children who witnessed the war as babies
are here to restore our Biafra nation

O great Biafrans
The pride of my fatherland
I salute and reverence you
Because your sacrifice will never be in vain

 

Prisca Onyinye Nwokorie is a  Roman Catholic Nun. She belongs to the religious order of “Oblates of St. Benedict Joseph Labre” in Italy. She is a graduate of the University of Bari where she obtained her Bachelor's and Masters' degrees in “Information and Communication Technologies for the Production of Software” and “Computer Science” respectively. Currently, she is carrying out research work on “E-learning for Developing Countries”.