I keenly watched Kunle as he laughed so hard on the phone with his mom
it's been weeks we had last spoken to our families yet it seemed like ages
the night was filled with celebrations as we had completed our training
we've been friends from the womb cause our mother's were best of friends
it has always been our dream to serve and fight for our mother land
i love you mom was the last thing he said before ending the call
we couldn't get any sleep that night for our expectations were ahead
and the next morning uncertain of our fate we marched to uncertainty
without proper ammunition and training for the task we marched foolishly
for Burutai had instructed that morning our final training be at the forest
tales we heard made us certain we would dine with our heroes past
but who are we to question the paradoxical chain of command
take cover echoed as we were ambushed, i saw Obi fall beside me
with fear so strong we had to fight for our lives now about to be taken
am hit, Stephen am hit as i turned and saw Kunle on the ground
he cried in pains shouting mummy i failed you
for we had promised our families we would come home
promise me you tell my mom i love her and she should never forget the soldier i was
as he took his last breath drops of tears rolled down my cheek
i never got to tell his mom nor saw mine for we dined together that night
will motherland ever remember the soldiers we were we asked as we dined


By Stephen Oshioma Imoyera