Not My Business
By Lenient Amidu
They picked Akanni up one morning
Beat him soft like clay
And stuffed him down the belly
Of a waiting jeep.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
They came one night
Booted the whole house awake
And dragged Danladi out,
Then off to a lengthy absence.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
Chinwe went to work one day
Only to find her job was gone:
No query, no warning, no probe –
Just one neat sack for a stainless record.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.
The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.
—Niyi Osundare
‘Not my business’ is a satirical, free verse poem of twenty - six lines. This poem addresses individuals' apathy regarding societal problems that impact them.
The poem by Niyi Osundare uncovers the overtones of citizen indifference to government tyranny and injustice. Though the poem was written in response to the 1990s political system, it remains pertinent today.
Humans were designed to bond and form communities. Our fathers even claim that raising a child requires the help of an entire village. These wise sayings underscore the necessity of watching out for one another and speaking out against evil, even if it does not directly impact you.
What business of mine is it
So long they don’t take the yam
From my savouring mouth?
These lines provide insight into the mentality of an ignorant and selfish storyteller who is solely concerned with his belly (his sustenance).
And then one evening
As I sat down to eat my yam
A knock on the door froze my hungry hand.
The jeep was waiting on my bewildered lawn
Waiting, waiting in its usual silence.
As the poem progresses, we realize that the disaster he ignored has arrived at his home. To make development and equity the norm in a country, there must be a concerted effort to defend and sustain them. To fully live for ourselves, we must first live for others.
Art is one way we can help improve our surroundings. Using poetry, stories, drawings, and other mediums to make a message and attract attention to our society's flaws while also allowing for hope and change.
