The Devil

This world of nations,

Has socially stratified population,

Whose cohesive fabrics ironically are fast in disintegration.

We fall broadly into two gospels of churches

One for the poor and the other for the rich.

It also follows that there are two schools

One to learn complex life needed tools,

The other a day centre for the children of the fools.

Equally there are two hospitals

One is to cure terminal ills,

The other causes minor ailment turned terminal.

Likewise there are two types of shopping malls,

One is a place items are available for sale

For those with cash to expel,

The other simply to display,

What the have-nots cannot afford to pay.

There are also two roads,

One is paved with diamond and gold,

The other broken glasses and sharps metal lethal weapons,

Laid and sown,

With bloodstains.

Side by side there live two neighbours

One inspired to self promote,

And the other with self hate devoured.

Furthermore, the society is govern by two politicians,

One serves the rich,

The second betrays every minute what he/she preaches.

The inhabitants live in two plots,

One is paradise wrapped in a shell,

Surrounded by hell,

Its wretched residents expel stinking smells,

Of alcohol and uncooked meal.

The paradox, and this you may find difficult to believe,

It is actually the devil

In the earthly paradise who does live.

Copyright Haileselassie Girmay

16/1/97