Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

(Verse 1)
Allow me take a trip to Tanzania, where legends are told,
A village lies nestled, where dreams are bought and sold.
I stand upon the red soil, burdened with despair,
For the gods of my fathers seem deaf to my prayer.

(Chorus)
The gods are dead, or so it seems,
Forgotten in the echoes of my dreams.
In poverty’s grip, I wither away,
Asking the heavens why I am left to decay.

(Verse 2)
From Arusha’s peaks to Zanzibar’s shore,
I search for a sign, a glimmer of hope to restore.
But the gods remain silent, their silence like a knife,
Cutting deep into my heart, a wound that is void of life.

(Chorus)
The gods are dead, or so it seems,
Forgotten in the echoes of my dreams.
In poverty’s grip, I wither away,
Asking the heavens why I am left to decay.

(Bridge)
Oh, Kilimanjaro, majestic and grand,
Once a symbol of strength, now a specter in this land.
I climb your heights, hoping to reach the divine,
But find only emptiness, an abyss in my mind.

(Verse 3)
Tanzanite sparkles in the dark, but not in my life,
For I am trapped in the shadows, consumed by strife.
As the sun sets over Serengeti’s vast plain,
I cry out to the gods, but my words are in vain.

(Chorus)
The gods are dead, or so it seems,
Forgotten in the echoes of my dreams.
In poverty’s grip, I wither away,
Asking the heavens why I am left to decay.

(Verse 4)
Through the bustling streets of Dar es Salaam,
I see faces of joy, but my heart is in a clam.
Mwanza’s shores whisper tales of prosperity,
But for me, they are but whispers of a distant reality.

(Chorus)
The gods are dead, or so it seems,
Forgotten in the echoes of my dreams.
In poverty’s grip, I wither away,
Asking the heavens why I am left to decay.

(Outro)
So I stand in this village, my tears falling like rain,
Questioning the gods, their motives, their disdain.
But deep in my soul, a flicker of strength remains,
A fire that burns, fueled by the pain.

For though the gods may seem absent, their power stripped away,
I will rise from the ashes, I will find my own way.
The gods may be dead, but I will forge my own fate,
And reclaim my life from this stagnant state.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

Distraction wears a captivating guise,
Drawing you in with its allure,
Infatuation leading you astray,
Frivolous pursuits squandering time,
Neglecting what truly matters,
Opportunities slipping through your grasp.

Distraction takes on affliction’s shape,
Extending its grip to the highest peak,
Like a relentless disease it spreads,
Slowly consuming, never relenting,
Will you let it divert your gaze,
From the path you have carefully paved?

Distraction can wear the mask of relationships,
Exerting influence on every decision made,
Guiding you away from education’s path,
When misjudged, success becomes elusive,
Leading you down an arduous detour.

Distraction can become an addiction,
When love for something takes control,
Drugs imprisoning your very soul,
Peer pressure leaving you stranded,
Lost in the wilderness of stagnation.

Distraction truncates your journey,
Derailing your aspirations with ease,
Allow it, and it lingers till the end,
Refusing to depart until all is lost,
Reject it, and swiftly reach your goal,
Focus, the ultimate key to success.

It arrives subtly, assuming varied forms,
A friend gossiping with ill intent,
Or hours spent enslaved to your phone,
Days consumed by binge-watching tales,
Time mocks you, laughing as it slips away,
Without a pause or regard for your delay.

No longer shall we tolerate this halt,
Remain resolute and fix your gaze,
Stay focused, undeterred and determined.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi

Today, I remember my darkest hours,
When life seemed filled with pain,
Day I found strength within my heart,
To rise above the mess and rain.

I bear the scars of a painful past,
Of moments I wish I could erase,
But through it all, I have learned to stand,
With a spirit no one can deface.

Each tear shed has made me strong,
Every wound has shaped my soul,
I refuse to let the darkness win,
For within me, a fire does now glow.

Through the shadows of despair,
I discovered my inner light,
A beacon of hope, burning bright,
Guiding me through the darkest night.

Though my journey has been rough,
And my heart has felt the strain,
I have found solace in my own voice,
A warrior ready to reclaim.

No longer will I hide in fear,
Or let my spirit be confined,
I will rise above the mess I have faced,
And let my true strength unwind.

For I am more than just a victim,
I am a survivor, strong and brave,
I will empower others with my story,
To let them know they too can be saved.

To those drowning in their mess,
Hold on tight and do not let go,
There is a message in your struggle,
A strength within you, waiting to grow.

Never lose hope, my dear friend,
For you are not defined by your past,
Embrace the scars and let them shine,
For they tell a story that will forever last.

You are a warrior, bold and fierce,
With the power to rise above,
In your mess, you will find your message,
And reclaim a life filled with love.

© Ifedolapo Ogunniyi