Dike (For Dr Nnabueze, Agwor' oha)

The ogele sounded at the coming of light
In the center of Nwankwo market.

The men of the night had come,
Laden with a message to the priests of Odo,
Of the death of our children.
Their words were ravenous, like cancer
"The children will die"

The ogele sounded and men melted,
In the Crucible of terror.

The women cried,
Tears gushing and running like a river
They too,  had heard the cold voices
Of the dark gods,
Savouring the blood and flesh
Of our children.

Anguish.

The gods were always with us
From the time of our birth,
On the stony Hill of amokofia;
They had  always held our hands
Each day we tumbled in
Bloody pools.

"So,  where were they," the women cried?
Didn't they promise us  a life
Free from death?
Didn't they say
Our children shall dream?

Noon Came and the ikpa sounded our death
In Ekugwu market
Where the people despaired.

The women's  cry,  weakened the men,
Their tears taking down their hearts
And the men fell.

We lost our eyes,  the light.

Then,  came the warrior,
Nnabueze,
Agwor'oha -
The one who heals all;
Dike ogu,  who said
"The children will not die."

He came like Obodike, omer' ebariba,
Bearing a sun heated spear,
Wearing an armour of leopard skin,
Singing the song of our birth,
Fighting like Ugwu himself
Why not?
He is the first son of Ugwu,
Our mountain-
The one who gives the armour of leopard skin

And a battle raged.
And our warrior fought.

Till nightfall came,
Bearing the fading cries of the cold messengers
Of the dark gods;
Till nightfall came,
with the stench of their decomposing flesh
Tickling the nostrils of our children.
They could smell
For they yet,  lived.

Song.

"Our warrior has beaten the enemies,
He is till fighting"

The Opi sounded at full moon
Then, joined the ubo,  igba,  ekwe
And, the virgin voices of our grown children

"our warrior will live forever!"

Happy birthday,  Agwor' Oha!

Written by Nnaemeka Ugwu. @all rights reserved.