DR. KING AGWU UDE

Dr. King Agwu Ude is a Nigerian poet. He lectures in the Department of English at the University of Jos, Nigeria. He is currently on secondment to Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone where he teaches Poetry and Communication Skills. Dr. Ude straddles oral and written poetry. By weeding these two art forms, he succeeds in rekindling the dwindling interest towards this genre - once the most popular, the most refreshing and the most fascinating in traditional African Society.

--------

SIERRA LEONE: AM TOLD

Am told,
What I now behold
Is a sordid shadow
Of Sweet Sierra of old

Am told
I missed your sweetness
Soullessly soured
By senseless citizens

And am told
I missed your riches
Ravenously ravaged
By ruthless rebels

But I believe
Your problem will be less
When you hack off "less"
From the senseless and the Ruthless;
Retaining only Ruth and Sense.

--------

WEATHER

Trust him not
When he breaks bright
Like the smile of a child
Given an amazing present

Trust him not
When he appears broody
Like a blonde, abandoned
After a memorable honeymoon

Sly
Most of the time,
MAN wears masks
To fool his kind.