LAMENTATIONS OF AN AIRCRAFT

My name is MD 83
I was manufactured in 1990
Acquired by Alaska airline

For 12 years
I served my masters
With might and strength
And made them smile
To the banks

Until November 4, 2002
When I developed engine faults
And had to make emergency diversion
due to smoke in my cabin
Passengers disembarked alive.

On August 20, 2006
I was again evacuated after landing at the Long Beach, CA
Again,
due to smoke in my cabin
Passengers disembarked alive

Concerned about my air worthiness
Alaska Airline parked me
Until Sept. 11, 2008 for repairs
And shifted my burdens to Dana Air, Nigeria
On February, 2009

On arrival
On the tropical shores of Africa
I hid not my state of health

On May 3, 2012
A Lagos station manager
Said I should be grounded for a check-up
That alarm was ignored

On May 11, 2012
I made an air return and emergency landing at MM2
Passengers disembarked alive

On May 25, 2012
Again, I made an air return and emergency landing due to engine failure Passengers disembarked alive

And finally on June 3, 2012
I crashed in Iju, 5-6 nautical miles from touch down, killing all 153 passengers on board and 30 on ground

After 22 years
Of meritorious service
I wished my masters listened
And let me rest

Now I put tears
In the eyes of a nation

But come to think of it,
If Alaska Air
Considered me unfit
To fly Americans
Why should Dana Air
Consider me worthy
To fly Nigerians?