Emmanuel Echeme, Winner of the 2024 Ogochukwu Ukwueze Prize for New Writers

God weeps,

As the gyration of machines dig the skin of green trees.

I dream of them,

Withered leaves

And the smokes that age flowers.

God weeping on his Knees

With palms that taste like ash.

Ashes of withered skins,

In unending plea for mercy.

A Nightmare.

I’ve watched the grasses wither, 

Not from time, but from the aftermath of darkness

Here—the trees; bodies like rust lay lifeless, 

Unable to bless the fields with fruits.

I watched them wail in torment 

As their seeds were taken—

Fused with chemicals to birth new leaves,

I watched them cry, their painful silence.

If one countryside can wail with the voice of a whole universe.

Will we be able to survive when the whole world begins to cry?🔆

ECHEME, EMMANUEL CHUKWUEMEKA is a student majoring in the Department of English and literary Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He is a Writer and a Model. He loves watching anime and enjoys engaging himself in artistic activities.

He’s a carefree writer, and an Eco-critic who seeks to learn about the physical and spiritual, sometimes implementing the little things he learns in his work.