This is Lagos

Arriving that evening
through the window screen
I saw the sign
THIS IS LAGOS
And the hustle began

No slacking on this fast lane
Agbero yells in a raspy voice
No bus parking to wait for you
Here in Lagos
Passengers jump like monkeys
unto a moving bus

So where are they all hurrying to
All these quick feets
moving tro and fro Oshodi road
Like men without destination

Roadside hawkers in the midst
Pulling your hands and dragging your clothes
Even holding you by the neck
Hassling  you to buy their inferior goods

Pick-pockets pilfering under Ikeja bridge
putting holes in your pocket
My eyes have seen red today
My money is gone
my wallet stolen
I cried helplessly, hands on my head

  Are you JJC
A voice jeer from the corner
This is Lagos my friend
You better shine your eyes

From Opebi to Ojuelegba roundabout
ladies hustle in skimpy clothes
displaying their bodies for sale
All you see are not humans
Some are mermaids (mammy water)
So you better shine your eyes

Anything can happen in Afrikan shrine
Here, Freedom goes wild with Afro beats
Taken by the spirit of Fela
Smoking weed, open orgies
 All illegality are legalized in Kalakuta Republic
So you better shine your eyes

But is this the Lagos I hear
The dream of a megacity
A true land of opportunities
Where you can turn sand into gold

Here are the magnificent flyovers
the third mainland,
Ekò and Carter bridge
That take you over to Lagos Island

The gigantic towers in Marina
Cyclones that touch the sky
which overshadow Apapa seaport
Here are the business tycoons
And the excellent bankers of broad street

The sun seems to shine brighter
At this side of Lagos
The bright blue sky
And the soothing sea breeze at Eleko beach
A display of aquatic splendor
Drinking a portion of coconut water
Set the tune for a beautiful weekend

Over there at Bar beach, Aladura pray
All-night, singing,, gyrating like a choir drunk in spirit  
The white robe, a flowing parachute as the sea waves
Babalawo throwing cowries on white sand,
Making incantations, seeing what eyes cannot see

Here are the high life of Isalekò
the Owambé parties
Men with overflowing Agbada flirting
Dancing around the thick madams
As they shake their fat hips

Here are the sophistication
the artificial life of Lekki peninsula
People claiming who they are not
Oh, Lekki women
You better shine your eyes
This is Lagos