Cost of Living
I write of the anguished cries
from the Chad to the Atlantic
a fellowship of broken souls
frantically fighting for survival
on
sinking
sand
no salvation for starving mouths
in pot bellies
no faith enough to move this rock of bad governance
The timeline with its
bants
rants
tweets
in search for missing persons pleas for crowdfunding
— cries for help
spread across the country
like bloodstained lambs on an altar
the flames of hell lick at our skin and
we are its burnt offerings
hope
is asking for competitive pay in the poverty capital of the world
the endless applications for a job that will
never be yours
like the flickering power supply
the light in our eyes wane
darkness broods over slouched backs
time’s a ticking bomb
as we keep watch for the next memorial
hunger is an open jaw ready to devour
nothing prepares you for
the awkward silence at the family table to the strangeness on your plates
the creaking of your empty cart
as the price tags on the shelves jeer and jest
the exchange rate wildly swinging like a pendulum
till there are no clothes to cut your coat from
Here,
the cost of living is your life
AUTHOR’s BIO:
Esther Sorkpor is a poet, culture and creative writer based in Lagos. Her writing explores love, feminism, and social justice. Her work has been featured in Medi-Phil magazine by Kb Klub, 49th Street and Lost in Lagos.
When not writing, Esther enjoys reading, comedy shows and spending time with friends.
