Analysis of "A Police-able Road" from The Hole in a Donut by Chibueze Prince Orie

Synopsis

This poem highlights the travail of the police who are exposed to various dangers as they inspect vehicles and commuters on the roads. In stanzas 2 and 3, the persona draws attention to the harsh weather conditions under which the police work. Though addressed with sarcasm, in stanzas 4 and 5, he calls on the authorities to ensure better working conditions for the police who serve their fatherland.

The poet also exposes the corrupt tendencies of the police whose checkpoints are extortion sites where they collect "twenty-twenty" naira.

Theme: Negligence

The persona addresses the issue of the government's negligent attitude to the welfare of the police as they serve the country. In stanza 1, lines 3, 5, and 6, he states:
"Before they die prematurely...
They deserve better welfare
They aren't born to suffer"

Corruption:
This is also copiously highlighted as he accuses the police in stanzas 6, 7, and 9. The corruption of government is also slightly hinted in stanza 4.

Literary Devices:

Apostrophe:

• The persona uses apostrophe in stanza 4 line 2-4 where he addresses Julius Berger:
  Julius Berger listen to this,
  We must save our police
  From the sun jeopardy

Apostrophes:

• In stanza 4, the persona addresses Julius Berger, a known construction company.
• In stanza 9, the address includes other construction companies and contractors such as Dantata, Dangote, calling them to help plant trees on “our roads” to empower them in robbing twenty-twenty naira.

Repetition:
Repetitions abound in the poem. They are basically used for emphasis. Below are some of the repetitions identified in the text:

• Stanza 1 lines 3 & 4:
  before they all ...
  Before they all die prematurely (stanza 1 line 3)
  Before they all turn coal-complexioned (stanza 1 line 4)

  Here emphasis is placed on the preposition ‘before’ and the noun phrase ‘they all’ which refers to police personnel. The persona is saying

• Stanza 2 lines 6 & 7:
  where they’re ...

  Emphasis is on ‘where’ and ‘they’. ‘Where’ is an adverb of place while ‘they’ is a pronoun replacing police personnel. The poet is calling attention to the place the police stay and to the police themselves.

• Stanza 3 lines 4 & 5:
  “That’s if only our governments// That’s if only our rulers.”

  The emphasis here is on the rulers/government and what they ought to do.

• Stanza 5 lines 5 & 6:
  where they ...

Sarcasm/Satire:

• The poem is actually a satire. The persona is satirising Nigerian police action on Nigerian roads. They mount checkpoints not to accost criminals and curb crime but to swindle money from motorists, and they do this in the sun. They ignore the scorching heat of the sun that may damage their skin or result in premature death, hence the persona’s proposal to plant trees on Nigerian roads so as to ‘save them from sun jeopardy.’ The persona is ridiculing the police who value N20 they collect from motorists more than their health.