I heard a voice, “sit down, sit down”, then it faded away.
I heard a voice singing “the labour of our heroes past”, then it was no longer heard.
I heard a voice, “retreat, here’s no longer safe” but melted away in no time.
I heard a voice groaning in pain due to shots in the ribs.
Guy rested in his pool of blood
Guy shot from behind, dragged by his colleague.
Men in leafy green, shooting at innocent boys and girls.
I heard a voice saying words of prayer, not to die.
Intestines rushed out, blood gushed out. “You will not die, pray to God, nothing is gushed out” someone mumbled,
She gathered courage to mutter that,
Not to kill a groaning and sorrowful man.

Yet again,
I heard a voice, singing “Is this my last?”
Security light was out.

Alas!
In the dark, bullets were released.
In the dark, protesters retreating.
In the dark, amidst fears, killing falls, protesters were bent on lending their voices to end everything not worth continuing.

The voices came again amidst shootings, extended sufferings, strivings, and pains,

“#End SARS, End SARS”

Pools of blood,
Flames of fire,
Fires from bullets,
Broke the nation’s heart.
So called lazy youths were set to work and ready to rescue,
Treated some patients denied of being taken to hospitals.
The nation’s flag was soaked with innocent youths’ blood, crying at the heat of gunshots.
A great genocide it was!
It wasn’t anything but a massacre in a nation’s history.
Lekki toll gate massacre, 20th October 2020-
Rains of bullets penetrated into hearts, bellies, ribs, lungs, chests, and brains.
They sang in unison as bullets ripped them apart.

Their hopes chattered,
Their trusts betrayed,

He was shot while holding a white and green flag,
He had a bullet hanging in his left ear and ribs.
Still, he uttered under his breath, “peace and unity”, and gave up the ghost.

The country bled.
I felt pain, I cried my eyes out till I was called to order.
I will write your names in gold, although your souls are worth more. I wept bitterly; knelt and called upon God.
I knew He heard my cry.
He saw my tears.
He will fight our cause.
Here’s God’s own country.
God please, fight the cause of the martyrs.

The hearts of kings are in the hands of God.

Written by Omolade Mayokun Ilesanmi