Ode To Umar
stuffed in jail
not even tried
his crime sedition
the police cried
his lament in vain
silent lady watches blind
his confessions fabricated
their videos doctored
rioters roam, proud and free
cloaked in their bigotry
spinners outdoor
make ready yarns galore
the master stands in a new costume
slipping a bit but holding sway
a cloying camera night and day
shooing anyone who comes in the way
Umar’s freedom now in hand
of a system so deadly grand
justice just another game
no chance to even clear his name
a hundred gone
many nights loom ahead
cold prison floor
makes a colder bed
truer his words got
more charges get hurled
men drunk in power
arrogance unfurled
sedition sedition sedition
an unrelenting chorus
some news cycles done
now Umar begins to bore us
does he really have a chance
when rulers enjoy the dance
elsewhere the story continues
a state in chains
farmers braving the cold
steel sentinels guarding some voices old
denying glasses
clutching at straws
raised our glasses to a setting sun
another year went by
firsts and lasts celebrated
unheard went a mother’s sigh
they came for Umar
they will come for me and you
get rid of the indifference
very least we can do
help him clear his name
beat these jokers at their game
our voices loud
high in the sky ring true
crowns will shake
central vistas too
that small cell
can but hold a man
will we let them bars
imprison our souls
resist we must
for a fight which is just
can’t let go
of the country we know
