The woman Sambisa.

She was a friend to all,
Both humans and animals
dwelt under her beautiful shade.
She provided fruits without discriminating.

She was peaceful and calm.
Beneath her disputes were settled,
and important matters discussed.
The children played hide-and-seek under her loving arms.

The Rabbits raced all over her,
The birds built their nest in her,
The spiders spun their webs around her,
And the bee hives were safe with her.

Then suddenly they came,
They spoon-fed her with poison,
And made her swallow over 250 girls.
She became a dread to all.

She was abandoned,feared and loathed;
Because she housed those insurgents.
There was a lot of bloodshed inside of her
As her occupants were frequent suicide bombers.

Her path became lonely and deserted,
Her arms started to whither,
Her fruits turned sour and bitter,
She had become another.

Her periods became heavier ;
Kudos to the daily bloodshed.
She developed wrinkles all over.
She became distraught, old and ugly.

A lot of horrible things were said about her,
As everyone forgot her good deeds,
And rained pretty curses on her.
She had now become sad, forgotten and desolate.

Oh, poor lonely Sambisa!
Who'd make her fruits tasty like they once were ??
Who'd drive away the heartless invaders??
Who'd make her the young pretty woman she once was??

Who'd revive her dying soul??
Who'd make her throw up the girls she was coerced to swallow??
Who'd stop the bloodshed inside of her??
Who'd bring back our once gorgeous Sambisa??

By Ademola-aliu Funke
#AAF