MY CATHARSIS, BLUE

Metals 'N' Roses by Nkaiferi Ifiok

It’s never so easy to fall in love

So when you do you never want to set it free

You hold on for what you hope will be forever, 

Even when the love is turning awry

Even when feelings flow unilateral,

Letting go is far from the option

You think you see her desire to let it flow

Despite her dam holding back the tide

That wall is a chasm but you believe,

“ She’s fighting her feelings is all i’tis ” 

None of it do you want to understand 

All you desire is let her fall

Everything you think you can; I do 

Giving even nights before your finals 

But shear persistence is not enough 

To burst or break that bloody wall

He begs and pleas, “tell me please!” 

But all she says is the silent *mum*

So decide you do to let her go, 

Set free a love that you feel so strong

She says she’s sad letting you out the door 

A glimpse reveals it’s truth in her eyes

For an instant a tear she can’t control, 

Flows from behind that massive wall

You catch its glint as she turns to hide, 

Just before you shut the door goodbye 

It’s too late ‘cuz for now, you’re off! 

And without a doubt not turning back

But what really cut my soul so deep, 

Was that you never let him steal from your lips

Even a kiss to set my soul at peace, 

That one kiss that would have never let him leave

Every time that I came close to you

Face to face, with your back to the wall

It was your racing heart that I always did feel, 

Beating against my chest like “this is it.”

But whenever he leaned in to get a taste

You’d beg him not to comply 

You’d beg him with that tear in your eye

With your hand hard on his chest, "just let me go"

Fast forward three years to the third of March

The day I think you stole my breath away

Three years and boarders yet he couldn’t believe 

A woman made him forget to breathe

But not a second's care did I give, 

As we disappeared into that moment's tide

And if it decided, never to end

How perfect forever would have been 

But still I knew better, 

that was just the beginning, 
of the end…

  

Budding Beauty by Nkaiferi Ifiok

Next

NATURE VS NURTURE: RIGHT VS LEFT

- by Juwah C. O.  

(Image Source)

For more than a decade this topic has polarized Nigerians, provoking a heated debate wherever it arises. Some Nigerians list the pro's while others list the con's. I for one, am skeptical but ultimately disagree with the introduction of GM - Genetically Modified - crops or seedlings to our economy and ecosystem at large.

Those on the left who support the radical introduction of GM crops say the benefits outweigh the possible consequences as improved yields and stronger resistance to pests and diseases will improve food reach, reduce food imports resulting in reduced foreign exchange (forex) expenditure. These probable outcomes, if they indeed materialize, would be welcome in any economy. However, we must not summarily dismiss the probable consequences of adopting GM crops; unbridled perennial dependence on biotech firms for seeds, uncharted disruption of our ecosystem by the new strains and even more pernicious, uncertain health implications as genetically modified crops are currently, albeit speculatively, being linked with certain ravaging infirmities like cancers.

For those on my side of the fence, those closer to the right, I believe we all agree that GM is not the better way to go. Why? Start with the reasons stated above but aside from these, there is another reason for my skepticism about our enthusiasm for GM crops. This extra personal thought is the recurring trend of Ministers of Agriculture insisting that GM crops will be introduced, usually at the beginning of presidential cycles. Could this be a tell-tale sign of POSSIBLE unnecessary external influence from biotech firms?

If this is the reality, then it may not just end well for the source of these self-interested external pressures. The whole situation reminds me of a certain failed energy deal Nigeria had with a certain foreign firm a few regimes ago. This 'burton-deal' which was meant to "help" solve our energy problems was heavily skewed in favour of the foreign firm. The deal would have short-changed us greatly. If the introduction of GM crops is primarily for the benefit of some large corporation hiding in the shadows with plans to short change Nigeria then this would be another reason to remain right.

Nigerians should be careful with what we let through our borders, as "gifts" may be difficult to regulate and are more often than not, profit motivated. Unfortunately, however, the profit is rarely ever in our favour.

(Image Source)

Next