Poetry: Song Of The Nigerian Driver By Niyi Osundare - Full Stanza

Here is a poem from one of Nigeria finest poet. In this poem, Niyi Osundare describe the outlook of the average Nigerian driver. I love it. I will only give you the first stanza, then if you want to have the full poetry. You can email me. Thanks

"The car in your hand is an aeroplane
Which only flies by prod and push
This, indeed, is a speedy secret
Not contained in your clumsy manual
So, pump that pedal, brother,
Pump it hard and cut your winds
Your ticket to the skies
Is under your feet
The car in your garage
Is a nerveless beast
Which only grieves when
It's showered with care
So, flog it like a fatherless donkey
Don't dote on plugs
Or brakes or mufflers
The less you care, the stronger it goes.
Some people, when they drive,
Are curious wretches
They watch the panels for funny lights
   They use the mirrors and those irksome pointers
They save their horns save for drastic needs
They are nice and kind like seasoned monks
 Damn their style, avoid their ranks
 Don't get infected with their CARE-ful bug
If you can do a hundred miles
Why stop at a cowardly eighty?
At two hundred in sixty minutes
Flies may still perch on your sluggish wheels
Your engine, under-used, may just decide
To die, one day, a slothful death
So, chase the road to its sudden end
Line up the traffic and thunder past
Some fools, when they drive, try to look ahead
At those mashed metals
Still drenched in smoking blood
Then they fly into needless remorse
Close that book, forget its lesson
It is their luck, not at all your own
Their bloody reward for a careful drive".

By Niyi Osundare  

(published in West Africa, 20 January 1986, 138)

That is just about it. This basically explains the Nigeria road. If you finds this loan interesting, please drop your feedback. Thanks