POEM| I Want To Stay Alive

I want to feel safe
and not live in fear

I want to feel secure
and no longer see an innocent life taken by a member of the force

I want to believe that the police is good
and not be scared of what they could do

I want to know that when I see the police
I can relax and not not be agitated but be at peace

I want to be able to commute with my laptop
and not be afraid of what might happen if I get stopped

I want to believe that my country cares about its citizens
and doesn’t believe we are puppets that it can treat as it pleases

I just want to stay alive
and see my country thrive

Mariam Shittu