Ordeals of the Young African Male

I'm a young African male with dreams and aspirations
Wishing to be equal with peers in the world of progress
The world says, “I am black and retarded.”
And my leaders abandoned me to my ugly fate
I’ve desired to rise and hopes to fly
But I’m always pressed down by daily ordeals
I have this undying spirit that speaks to me
I believe the spirit that says, “You shall rise one day.”

I wake-up each day willing to work
But I can’t find a job in my neighborhood,
And so I’m broken in spirit because I don’t know where to turn
My father blames the White man for colonizing us
My leaders blame each other for political gains
And so I had to carry my dreams in my heart
I know that’s the only way I can save and preserve it,
Until I am strong enough and able to walk and fly

I desire the good lives and dream to live it
I know I will if I work very hard
And so I wake-up each day more determined to work
I went out to find a job, there are no jobs
I want to do business, but there is no capital to start
I wish to borrow some, but the regulations are tight
So I have no choice but to fast and pray,
Until I find the means, and I am able to walk and fly

My father wanted to send me to the best of schools
But he couldn’t afford the best we have around
My mother fries “Kwose” to send me to public school
But the teachers are always ‘gisting’ under the mango tree
They blame the government for incompetence
Then, I got sick and tired of being in school here
But I can’t cross from here to the other side
I had to wait until I develop some wings to fly

I walk the street of my estate each day depressed
I wonder where to find some help
You see me smiling like a Dutchman
And you think all is well with my soul
But down here in my heart, I know all is not well
I am only pretending, and struggling to be strong
I wish, pray and hope one day I will be strong enough
I wish I find this strength I needed to walk and fly

My friend call to say there is a better life somewhere
“O’ John tell me where that life could be found,
I wish to go there and work and pursue my dreams
I want to walk away from this endless pain down here
I want to end all my vexations, sufferings and pain,
I want to be free to manifest, express and achieve my dreams.”
“O Teddy, it’s far away in the White man’s country.”
The same White man my dad blamed for my pain
I had better remain here until I can walk and fly

“Teddy I am moving on since you can’t bring the ring
I’m not growing all any younger—I am being cornered by age.”
My girlfriend Titi now threatens without considering my struggles
“What about our love, and the dreams we share, Titi;
What happens to them overnight last night?”
“O’ Teddy, listens to yourself—did you just say ‘Our dreams?’
I never had any dream with you, and your claim amazes me
You are the one, who wanted me to be part of your dreams,
And since we can’t walk or move on—I am flying away

I look into the walls of my father’s rented apartment
They have got no eyes to sees through or helping hands
I stare the heavenly stars in the eyes for hope,
All I found is despair, instead of beauty and love
My world is torn apart and depression had grown deepened
And my soul feels trapped in this prison of pain
Hopelessness assails me, and courage and help eludes me
I have to pray and hang on for God’s renewal of faith

When you see me going to Europe through the Libia Coast,
Or pleasing substances just to make myself happy,
Or live this braid of perpetual resentments of anger and fear
It’s because I am a young African male
My father didn’t plan for me before he married my mum
My country didn’t plan for me before she drove away from the White man
And since I was taught to blame the other man when things go wrong,
So I blame the world

This poem narrates the story of many young Africans male in their homelands. The poet chooses to use the personal pronoun in the narration because he wanted to create a stronger effect. The poem also has some elements of satire as seen in stanza IX.

The poet is of the belief that most young Africans are taught to blame other people when things go wrong. The poet knows this approach is not always helpful to the African people. He sees not taking responsibility as part of the problem.

"And since I was taught to blame the other man when things go wrong, so I blame the world." is satirical.

Strangely, the narrative is true and reflects the ordeal of most young African male. The Libya Slave story though death on social media platforms is still fresh in many hearts.

There are also whites stereotyping blacks and blacks stereotyping whites.

Well, this is not an analysis of the poem but an introduction to help the reader understand a few things about the poem. Although written in a deeply personalized language it is not a personal story but the narration from every day's experience in an Africa society.

It's the hope of this poet the reader enjoys this piece.