In Borno State

In Borno state
you imagine being someone else
you are in Abuja
in one of those big houses
there is no blood
no stench of death
just big cars
and big houses

In Borno state
they call you IDPs
refugees in your own home
you know it is a lie
there was a time when
the children were children
and the schools were not tents

In Borno state
you imagine one day
families would stay
you wouldn't live
in filthy camps
you wouldn't know
the smell of sympathy
and the sound of pity

In Borno State
you are not you
you are not running
you are not hiding
In Borno State
you are home again