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The Old Woman at the corner of Bar Beach road and Oduduwa House
I see her sometimes
When we turn the corner
At Oduduwa House
From Bar Beach road
Heading towards
Our daily toil
She seems very old
So old
It’s nearly suspect
Considering
The surrounding
Expectation
Of Life
Her hair has grayed
And she’s covered
From head to toe
In transparent plastic sheets
Protecting her
From the rain
And sudden feelings
Of nakedness
She sits
With one arm outstretched
Exposing her palm
To the heavens
Her gaze
As of years ago
Has given way
To an empty stare
Into the depths
Of hopelessness
As she rests her head
On the other
Today she was no longer there
She had been replaced
By a young man
In greasy jeans,
Unwashed semi-dreaded hair
And an equally hopeless
Situation
He slept on a slab of concrete
As we passed
He swiped freshly formed
Sweat beads
From his brow
He was now
The new “old lady
at the corner of Bar Beach road
and Oduduwa House”
