This is how we die
They all died
Chionye died.
Ini died.
Hussain died.
Jeremy and Muyiwa died.
Five of my friends, including my lover, died.
But by a sheer stroke of luck, I was spared.
Perhaps so that I can tell this story,
In a feeble attempt to keep their names alive.
Before it went south
We had spent the new year touring the choicest hotels in Asia,
North America and Europe.
A trip that we all checked on our bucket list;
Not that we had any thoughts of kicking the bucket.
We were living this life to the fullest.
We deserved it.
The Whirlwind
Back in the country with the connections we made.
And new ideas to change our world…
But the whirlwind came with us, swallowing and spitting out the lifeless bodies of my best friends.
I’ve tried to cry; I’ve tried to scream but I can’t find my voice.
Our plans, our strategies, our hopes became collateral damage as we faced the scary demon.
I need to say their names again
Chionye, Ini, Hussain, Jeremy and Muyiwa.
People may have heard that thirty-six more people died of Covid-19 few weeks ago.
But you are not just statistics.
Chionye, Ini, Hussain, Jeremy and Muyiwa and other humans who meant the world to someone;
were smothered by the Covid demon.
Looking in the mirror
I see someone.
But that’s not my reflection.
A ghost?
That’s my grandfather, telling once again a story that never left his lips while he lived.
The second wave of the 1918 influenza.
The history we are bound to repeat because we have not cared enough to learn.
It killed them when their life was the sweetest
They were done burying their loved ones, or so they thought.
They came out to celebrate what they thought was a victory.
Men and women filled the streets, to sing, to transact, to live as though the demon had been buried with the dead.
But the demon stifled them whilst the songs were still on their lips.
Their lifeless bluish corpses littering the earth.
Fifty million bodies.
This is how we die
Son he said, humans haven’t learnt.
They’ve thrown their masks to the wind and replaced the sanitizers with carelessness.
They haven’t learnt…
And this is how they will all die.
_
*the war on Covid19 is not over yet. Wear a mask to protect your self and your loved ones.
Enegbeta Cyril
Wao! Beautiful write up. I wish the earth can be wise and get ready for the second wave of covid. All will be well
Ijeoma Okoli
Thank you Cyril. Stay safe
Meji A
Hmmm u write so well
Ijeoma Okoli
Thanks! 🙂
Remi
Sad, but needed reminder! Thanks Ijeoma
Lanre
Awesome write up
Ijeoma Okoli
Thank you Lanre
Nnenna
Imagery, imagery, you’re simply amazing!
Ijeoma Okoli
Thanks Nnenna
Obembe Opeyemi
Nice one IJ 🤗
Bode David
Bravo
Ijeoma Okoli
🙂
Ikenna Chendo
Great write up!
Yinka Ogun
👊
Kingsley Akpolor
This is very apt and the need to continue the crusade to observe all safety protocols.
Thanks for the write up.!
Ijeoma Okoli
Thanks Boss!
Emmanuel
Wow! Now I understand a bit about the frequent caution comments – “you’re always touching everyone”…