In a land where wealth is amassed,
The poor stand burdened, their spirits trashed,
A stark divide, a gulf so wide,
As the rich bask in opulence, with pride.
Their bellies filled with lavish feasts,
While hunger gnaws the poor, never to cease,
Mansions rise, glistening in grandeur,
As slums crumble, lost in squalor.
Let the poor breathe, oh, let them dream,
Release them from this suffocating stream,
Where their voices drown in silence,
Their dreams crushed, devoid of resilience.
From the depths of poverty’s grip,
They yearn for solace, a hopeful trip,
To taste the fruits of prosperity’s tree,
And break free from this harsh decree.
Let the poor breathe, oh, let them aspire,
Unbind their lungs from suffocating mire,
Their voices muted, stifled by plight,
Their dreams shattered, devoid of light.
Let their children know the gift of education,
Unlock their minds, nurture their aspiration,
For knowledge holds the key, the path to escape,
From the clutches of poverty’s wicked shape.
Let compassion and empathy guide our way,
To bridge the gap, bring a brighter day,
Where the poor can rise, no longer confined,
With opportunities abundant, their futures aligned.
Let the poor breathe, let their voices rise,
A symphony of hope amidst the cries,
For in their dreams, lies our collective fate,
A nation’s strength rests on this crucial weight.
So, let us come together, hand in hand,
To build a future where equity will stand,
Where the rich and poor can intertwine,
In a land where dignity and justice align.
Let the poor breathe, let them find release,
From the shackles of poverty, let us cease,
For a nation’s true wealth is measured not in gold,
But in the well-being of every soul.
About the Poet
Wisdom Chika Nwoga is a Nigerian creative enthusiast, literary scholar, and media practitioner. His critical and literary works on African literature and commitment are widely read in both national and international journals. He is a recognized member of the International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS) Japan. He is featured in Of Poetic Yellow Trumpet: an anthology of poetry edited by Brigitte Poirson and Samson Iruesiri Kukogho and The Best New African Poets 2021 Anthology edited by Tendai Mwanaka, Balddine Moussa and Lorna Telma Zita, and elsewhere.