Why did you do it? Why did you deny him?

You said you knew him not, yet he sprung out of you

You said he was a stranger, although he bore your mark

You even called him alien, while he still bore your name

You turned away from him, though he clung to you still

And through your wicked elders, you sent him to his grave

Oh you ancient city of martyrs, why did you do it?

Why did you do it? Why did you put him away?

Together you sat in council, deciding on his fate

You hired false witnesses, to confirm him a sinner

And brought forth false evidence, indicting him the more

You shut your eyes and ears, while they dragged him away

To have his blood splattered, down by the sacred river

Why, oh tell me, why did you do it?

Why did you do it? Why did you wash it away?

You watched in silent horror, as they dragged him towards you

And tied him to the great taproots, that extend into you

They spilled his blood by you, the blood of the blameless

You washed it all away, taking with you his memories

Yet you moved on in silence, as if nothing had happened

Tell me, oh you sacred river, why did you do it?

Toyin Taiwo © 2012