By Ayoolajesu Victoria Ojo
It was Children’s Day yesterday
But was it happy?
Benevolence and love, we scheduled for the day
We hoped to party
And while there are many lovely little ones
To be grateful for
Our minds kept wandering back to the suffering helpless ones
To be prayerful for
It was Children’s Day yesterday
We laughed and still cried silently
Because now, the 15th of May
Marks a lasting taint on their naivety
Kidnappings ongoing
And our kings seem to be napping despite,
Hope diminishing
Each passing day, an endless night
It was Children’s Day yesterday
Lots of gifts, Daddy promised to buy
But on that fateful Friday
He was forced to kiss her goodbye
Relatives and loved ones
Running to each other for comfort
The unscarred ones
Wondering their worth
It was Children’s Day yesterday
And if paradox was a day
It was definitely yesterday
We take this moment to pray
That every child finds their way
To safety
To freedom
To healing
