When the Enlightened Become the Savages: A Poem on Leadership and Values
Good evening, everyone. I would appreciate your thoughts on this poem about change, values and leadership. It reflects on how societies abandon old forms of cruelty, yet may create new ones within institutions meant to represent enlightenment. **When the Enlightened Become the Savages** *Marks of Savagery* Florence stopped one: the killing of twins. Others persisted but fizzled out with time, not with huge sacrifice as Nightingale, just mere mass enlightenment. Among the savage acts that stopped was the burial of powerful kings with many fresh heads. Ivory tower, home of enlightenment, with supposedly enlightened occupants, should not have any vestige of savagery except occupants that refused to inspire or be inspired, update or be updated, teach or be taught, impart or be imparted. Death, a natural phenomenon, comes at the end of one's life, career, sojourn. Modern savagery: a full-circled occupant of ivory tower plotting to pack out with pure-minded heads, the primus inter pares, first among equals, best among the best, beautiful brides. Germans call such infamy, Igbo call it *alu*, Scripture calls it sacrilege, and anything worse than societal gross misconduct. What are your thoughts on the poem?
Use The App To Win ₦1m
Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.