"The young man" by Adeosun Tomiwa

The young man stands there laughing

but he knows where the shoe hurts him

the renaissance of the soothing pain

makes him reminisce on future scenes

The young man stands there laughing

but he doesn't know how to pacify

his rumbling belly

a shack hole – his place of abode

a nagging skirt, he calls his wifey

The young man stands there laughing

but his thoughts are far from happy ones

his childhood dreams were of wealth and fortune

all of which have become a myth

The young man stands there laughing

but while his friends laugh out of their stupor

he laughs due to his loneliness

for their jokes are as dry as the Passover loaf

The young man stands there laughing

but his radio speaks of an economic meltdown

his coat has just become tighter

as the price of garri will rise in the market

The young man stands there laughing

but in his shaky hand is his sack letter

his boss has decided to cut down his expenses

and he stands as a lone scapegoat

The young man stands there laughing

but his laughter is neither of joy nor sorrow

this stage of his life has crushed his feeble mind

the young man is now the government's property

ALSO READ: "Runaway bride" by Akinlade Damilola

Adeosun Tomiwa is a 200L student of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. He enjoys drawing and poetry. He hails from Osun state.