Mercy Musa // Winner, Joseph and Eunice Igbokwe Memorial Foundation Prize for Pidgin Poetry, 2024
Abeg, shey na pesin future Wey dis people dey tie im leg so? Na pesin
After Divine Nnenna Onwuka’s “Na to Graduate Remain” make everybody gather open ear come hear
Person wey no enta maket no go know howmaize take enter beans, tomato wey rottina’im
see O. come look how night dey fall insidepipo mouth //for where you go see
Maale na mama wey be papa.Na she dey get up wake fowlMake e begin hala
If I no say na lyk dis e go beI for enter Ochanja market fass
Na wetin consain agbero wit overloadNa wetin come make Iyamiri look OfemmanufinishCome hold im hand
Naija subsidy na de more yu look, the less yu seeDis poli-trick-cians wan kom devour
Belle don turn noting, like zero-zero-zero.Belle no dey see food; no crayfish, no seafood.And the