The Rules of Football

I took my little boy
to a nearby football pitch
He said he was tired
of playing hide and seek
He now wanted a football
to play around and kick

As he clutched my hand
I spoke to him
and tried to make him understand
the eleven rules of football
taking into consideration
that he was quite small

Now rule number one
Football is made of eleven strong men
When one or two are naughty
you may still get away
with playing nine or ten

Rule number two
When a member of your crew
hits the ball into the net
A goal is scored
that I can place a bet
For I am very sure

Rule number three
The maximum number of players
you can substitute is three
It does not cost a dime
It is totally free

Rule number four
There are rules you must comply with
When a team commits an offense
named a foul
before the game can commence
A small advantage has to be given
to the otherside

Rule number five
A freekick
is given after a foul
Sometimes awarded after
unnecessary dives

Rule number six
When you are shown a card that is yellow
Its time for your temper to mellow
or you will get the referee quite mad
and he will dismiss you with a red card

Rule number seven
A penality is like heaven
It is awarded
when a player breaks the rule
maybe by using his hand as a tool
to play the ball inside the penalty box
its time for him to go back to school

Rule number eight
A thrownin
Is when the ball is kicked out of the field
It's one of footballs favorite sins

Rule number nine
Offside is
When you are the only one running
alone to score a winning goal
you must hesitate
till you see a single soul

Rule number ten
A game lasts
for ninety minutes
You are beat
When your team has less goals than the other
That is when you must admit defeat

Rule number eleven
when your team is losing
you have to sing something amusing
saying
All we want is a goal
While we are dressed in coloured charcoal

Now my little boy
I said
These are the eleven rules of football
lets go and practise inside the sports hall

© Marabi Amfaal Hydara 

The Humanitarian Poet 

Just Write Anything

I pen this down...
To check if I still have something to say..
After facing all the wrath of destiny..

I pen this down..
To have an eye on the silent storm in me..
Which has been quiet for quite long..

I pen this down..
To know the answers of some questions..
Afterall I have heard, poetry can do miracles...

I pen this down..
To check whether the poet in me is still alive..
Or I am left to be accused as a murderer too...

A poet who is truly respected
may not be the most brilliant cited
nor number one in the recent survey
but someone whose mind best convey.

A poet who is a creative critic
may not be someone who is prolific
nor gives comment somewhat stupor
but the one who inspires as a mentor.

A poet who reads poems and analyses
may not be someone who is the wisest
nor his poetry the most read composition
but becomes an epitome of the association.

© Marabi Amfaal Hydara 

The Humanitarian Poet 

The Light Meets The Bright

Omar Badjie, is a bona fide member and First Aid Tutor of the Gambia Red Cross Society through the Kanifing Municipal Red Cross Branch. He has been teaching and rendering first aid services to the community for more than a decade. 

In recognition of his tireless humanitarian gestures and services rendering to the most vulnerable in our communities, he has been awarded the 76th Points of Light and 2nd in the Gambia by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. 

I therefore wrote this poem to celebrate this big achievement. 

The Light Meets the Bright 

 Points of Light 

Is not a fight

That's won in a night 

With whatever use for flight

Points of Light 

Can never be fought by a man

That's selfish and pride

In dealing with people unkind

Points of Light 

Is what makes 

Queen Elizabeth alive

Longer than she should live

Points of Light 

Was the reason the Prince flew

From United Kingdom to 

The Smiling Coast of Africa

Points of Light 

To honourably present

By the Princess in our present

To a man that's pure and decent

For the humanitarian services

He rendered without consent

The man who's known to be

The New Henry Dunant

Has been awarded the 76th 

Points of light

And the 2nd in the Gambian fight 

From the life of Queen Elizabeth

There's no debate or doubt 

For the RECIPIENT of this light 

 it will lighten the light bright 

Coz he's Omar Badjie (Omaa) 

Points of Light

The Gambia Red Cross Society 

Have impacted in you skills 

A tool for alleviation 

For the needy and vulnerabilities

 Is what the Red Cross taught us to try 

Even when we should cry

You're instrumental within the Kanifing Municipal Red Cross Branch setup 

A product they'll never give up 

Feeling for a victim you do not know

Worried, but you would never show

You bleed while they bleed

You cringed when they plead

You die when they ceased to be

It felt like family, it felt like you.

Points of light 

Is where many warriors have died

In searching of light in darkness 

But Omaa erased the darkness 

With his First Aid swords 

And humanitarian words 

To calm the casualties 

To enlightening the First Aiders 

To assure the vulnerables 

To sympathise the victims 

In the name of Gambia Red Cross Society 

Alleviating human suffering 

Through the power of Humamity 

Finally is in a safe hospitality 

Points of Light 

Must be inspired 

So that you will be aspired 

Before your time gets expired 

© Marabi Amfaal Hydara 

The Humanitarian Poet