Born To Die

Every baby's cry announces arrival to live
But mine announces desire to leave
From the minute am born
Everyone knows I won’t last
Because I carry unfortunate blood
Unfortunate blood that I didn’t choose
Unfortunate blood Imposed on me by nature
Yes, it flows in my vein
Blood is life
Life is in the blood
But mine carries death sentence

Mama, why do this to me?
Papa, do I really deserve this?
Even if you don’t mind my short stay
Must the stay be agonizing?
Even if you had money to lavish
Must I bear the pains of your wish?
Must this little life of mine be soaked in crisis?
Must I be coming and going in cycle of sickle?

Every trip on this journey
Gives me a new name that isn’t mine
Some call me Abiku
Others shout Ogbanje
Some even mutilate my lifeless body
To stop me from coming again
But am I the culprit?

I have the desire to live
But the fire in my bones won’t let me
If mama cared for my life more than emotions
I wouldn’t carry this blood
If papa hadn’t lived in ignorance
I would have been spared this agony

Have you seen me in crisis?
Every cell in me is a cell
A cell that cages dreams
A cell that cages life
You need to feel my pains to know
Groan to the world that it is heartless
For whatsoever reason
To give life to one that is born to die.


Did I hear you say we all shall die?
Tell me, how many live for death
How many count their days to the grave?
How many live a life of crises?
Dying only becomes sweet
When life has given you a chance to live first

Not so with me
The one that starts dying in the womb
Dying daily in my sickle cells
Cells of pain and agony
Painfully dying gradually
Though I have strong desire to live
I still must pray to leave soon
I must bow to the fire burning in my bones
Don't watch me die in groans
Somebody save me from this blood of death!