THE BRIDGE

I was at a book lunch (two books actually) over the weekend where I was privileged to present the review of both books and also present this. Enjoy

THE BRIDGE

The intersection was clear

Unlike the sections in his mind

The road was patched as if a bird just hatched

The anger in him was multiplied when a G-Wagon splashed water on him

Alas, a cause to burst out, a reason to ignite the canisters buried inside.

He waited for the driver to alight, but he only get beckoned to the car like a bacon  

 “Long time, no see” he shouted,

“Last I saw you was secondary school”.

“How did you get this car”?

The conversation lasted hours and all the answers he got made him feel like he wasted four years of his life in the university

For The degree he spent years to acquire lays neatly in the almost worn out brown envelope

Yet his school dropout friend is enveloped neatly in a Black Benz  

He walked on, sordid shirts outside

Down casted, trodden and angry spirit inside.

The news at nine only matters worse

He is called the GPS because he has been to every nook and cranny of the city searching for whoever needs what he has to offer.

His side hustle only covers his feeding and transportation

Yet a fellow citizen can loot that much funds without being found while he stands here with no penny to his name

He felt a burst of bile and a stint of depression choke his heart

“Tomorrow will be better he reassures himself”

“God dey and man must survive”

Many thought wrapped his mind as he unwrapped the moi-moi that will serve as diner

He met his jubilant and elated co-hustler who told him the ‘good news’

He is not too young to run for any office in the land

What does that even mean he wondered?

What does he stand to get from that?

Could it be another ploy to distract the young like him away from the reality of things?

Was his age really the barrier between him and any office?

If it really is true, what do the young have to offer when elected?

What do they know about governance and leadership?

He was very certain that the only thing he knows about leadership and power is the opulence he sees and the braggadocio he envies and MUST attain

He was also certain that a great percentage of the young in this country share his fungus

Graduating was a miracle and blessing to him

His skills were acquired by sweats, stress and tears

The only thing he knows about public office is that it makes you rich, powerful, and untouchable

Oh, how he covets the worship and praise it brings and the authority is commands

He knows nothing about stewardship and service

No one has ever taught or mentored him on leadership

Yet here he stands, famished and exhausted

Depressed, penniless and jobless

Frustrated and at the brink of losing hope in himself

And all he can get from his country is the assurance that he can run for any office

The questions came as if in sync

How?

With what money?

On what platform? What experience does he have in public service?

When he got no answers

He knew the margin was wide and deep

So he sets out to build the bridge.

Photo Credit:Kenn Amaechi