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"Lets say no to war"

By Ese Ganiyu Ohwojevwe   

My father once told me
That war is not
The best option
To conflict resolution
My father once told me
That all problems
Are man-made
that only mankind
Can also look for
Good alternatives
To peaceful
Resolution of Conflict
My father once told me
That with war
Nations rise against nations
Kingdoms rise against kingdoms
Brothers rise against brothers
Sisters rise against mothers
Fathers rise against sons
Wickedness rises against puritanism
Until such a tide
When
Water becomes an essential commodity
Food becomes an essential commodity
Houses become death traps
My father once told me
That war can lead to hunger
That war can lead to diseases
That war can lead to
Electricity blackout
That war can lead to
Fathers running for dear life
Mothers running away from children
Children running away with bullet wounds
People taking shelter
In refugee camps
But with all these and more
What more do I ask of my countrymen and women
Let’s say no to war.

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This Poems Story

My poem titled "Let's say no to war" was originally borne out of the need to have a personal poem in a list of poems we're expected to teach professional students in Lagos State Polytechnic..., however, for several years now, my country[Nigeria] has been on the verge of war/civil strive due to the selfish interest of political jobbers who has no holds barred whenever it is time for election...and each time i remember how my late father[a 63 N.A] who fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war told me of the horrendous experience of civil war...the poem is also borne out of the experience[between the Hutsis & Tutsis in Rwanda] i saw in a film titled "sometime in April" and by extension "Hotel Rwanda" i've seen film clips of "the war of Roses" I've heard and read of Spanish influenza in world war,ive seen video clips of people in refugee camps...in fact i think we must tell all our neighbours family and friends"Let's say no to war"



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