I
When cries
Sprinkled on the feet of tyrants
They were swept away
When bones sailed the Atlantic
Dreams drowned
Into the womb of the sea
II
Ears are thirsting;
There are neither proverbs
Nor wisdom to sip from
Eyes now mother the ocean
Souls temples
Species of depression
Hope hung between two teeth;
Life and death
III
May our aborted dreams
Decay into dust
So fingers of tomorrow
Sculpt them into art.
Arise
Arise o spirits of the Niger rivers
Set free your waves
Let our scarce flee away
Arise o palate of the gods
Dye your tears into inks
And rewrite our story
Arise
It is time to water your seeds for a new sprout.
Mohammed Salihu is a young Nigerian writer. He holds a Certificate in Creative Writing from Wesleyan University and is presently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of the West of Scotland. One of Mohammed’s poem was selected by UNICEF to mark World Children’s Day 2020. His writing has appeared in: Fahmidan Journal, Poetic Duel, Praxis Magazine, and elsewhere. He can be found on twitter at https://twitter.com/Ameer_salihu and on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mohammed_salihu_/
the Decolonial Passage 
Powerful, powerful work. “Aborted Dreams” in particular moved me with visions of ancestors choosing to return to Yemoja’s embrace “womb of the sea” – rather than be enslaved.
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This is amazing ❤️ You inspire me!!
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