Homeless

I once used to wake up and 'kasuwa',

My hair undone and my face barely washed,

No caution whatsoever for I must feed my children,

Ina kwana! Ekaaro! quickly I must greet my neighbors;

Abuchi is the meat seller, a bargain unlike any other.

I once used to wake up and be happy it is Sallah,

For Abuchi's I must pay even though little,

For Sallah's my only price is my pot I must make ready;

For I am two things, joyous receiver at this time

And joyous giver at Christmas.

I once used to wake up to a knock on my door,

My sister-in-law walking, labouring for two,

Yesterday my merchandise returned from the South-

Today I can easily lend in "kwudi",

To fuel her easier journey to the West maternity.

I once used to wake up to "the eight" jingle, 

Mama Adamu lovingly cajoling, education is life;

For the mornings, my consolation is the afternoons,

For we must meet, adorned and competitive

Proud to take our wards home.

Today I fear to wake up!

School is forbidden and so "the eight" is slaughtered,

Abuchi is wasted, my costs are uncountable,

I must eat my merchandise and lose a sister in labour.

The cock crows bombs, guns, machetes 

And the cries of widows and orphans.

My home is infested by zombie charlatans, 

Morning, noon and night- 

have all together become alike,

A nightmare I must wake up from.