THIS IS BENIN! By: Douglas Ogbankwa

Where the door closes ,when the window opens…

where shadows show,when darkness fades…

Where bigots groan ,
when demagogues shines,
Where the greats of this world are born ,
Where there is a lot of fun ,
But watch your back or it won’t be funny.

Where the ancient meets the modern,in an eclectic mix of virtue and vice,
Where by the roll of the dice ,
You can get your slice .

Where the old meets the new,
Sometimes with tales by the moon ,
Where you don’t drag for land ,
the land may end up dragging for you .

Where trajectories are rife,
through the smittering sands of the Sahara
and the drowning depths of the Mediterranean.

Where the keyboards have taken over the blackboards,
Where shawarma has taken over puff puff and bobozi,
And Coldslaw has taken over hotcorn.

When on Friday they are Club Girls and Boys ,
And on Sunday they are Church Boys and Girls ,

Where the water you drink ,
Do not run way from you ,
Where with little little patience,
You come into wealth ,

This is Benin !
Where you do not pursue
a great man with words ,
you just have to show him signs that cause him discomfort.

This is Benin !
Where when you get to Benin ,The land of Benin is Elder ,Where when you get to other lands ,
The Land of Benin is the Elder ,
But remember when you get to Benin ,
Benin is still far !