You have given us shelter and warmth, 

You have given us memories 

And reasons to smile… 
*

When sons of men laughed at your appearance then

Those wild boys threw stones and the earth pots broke, 

We hid in you at first afraid but later mocked their fruitless fight, 

But you, you stood bold and proud, letting the stones and words hit you

Sheltering us from the harm which men created in their caste, 

And returning nothing to them, nothing even one brick

And we can say it loud and clear; you taught us well! 

Now we have learnt humility, the need of not being vengeful 

We have learnt the need to be contented, to be satisfied with what we are

*

You stood proud even at the hungriest rainstorm

You stood tall when the sun rays bite the earth

We are proud of you, dear citadel

And now we see why we are grateful, why we must appreciate you! 

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Image by Favor Chijindu Iroegbu