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"The City that Never Sleeps" by Amara Nwuneli

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Published May 1st, 2023

The City that Never Sleeps

by Amara Nwuneli
(Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria)

To the city that never sleeps
An ode to the aunties
And uncles and brotherly cousins
My home that fights on and perseveres
Every coming week
Shout praises to my roots that dig deeper
Than the blood that has spilled out
And Respect
To its foundation that has stood
Strong
Despite wars and drought
In sweltering heat and unfair, corrupt conditions
Without a doubt,
The. Hustle. Never. Stops.
Because there is always going to be support
From your community
And never-ending, tough-loving
Celebrations
Of life (a reason to celebrate)
Simple
Do not elaborate
Throw on your traditional,
Grab any possible gift and find your nearest wedding or funeral;
Because you are from a city that never sleeps
And you will get up on your own two feet


Biography
Amara Nwuneli is a young Nigerian-American activist, social innovator, actor, and author. She founded and runs Fight Global Warming Nigeria which works to raise awareness about climate change among youth through interactive workshops, informational videos, and local initiatives. Through her work as a climate activist, she has served as a speaker and youth representative in a range of forums and has written articles. Her first poetry book, For We Are Curious, was released in November 2022.

This poem is included in Poetry World #6, published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Previously published in Africa Poetry Magazine:
Fela Kuti
by Uche Chidozie Okorie

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