WEEK 8 - THE NEW WIFE, Part 1 of 3


Ije-oma perches at her father's right hand
Her eyes cast down, a decree of custom
She cannot look upon her father and Obi
Who break kola-nut to give to The Gods

The men raise the gourd of palm wine next
Pouring libations to bless these proceedings
Ije-oma sighs and thinks of Emeka
Her childhood sweetheart who has nothing

Could she ever learn to be wed to another
Have his hands caress her the way Emeka's did
Could she ever learn to be happy with this Obi
When all she can think of is dear sweet Emeka

She listens to the men speak of the harvest
Then veer to the customs that bind the clans
They speak of bloodshed and the coming conflicts
With neighboring tribes who fear Imo-che

She fades in and out, in complete stupor
Then comes to her senses when Obi says her name
They are ready now to discuss the matter
Chiefly, how many cowries to ask for her hand

Her father clears his throat … then does it again
A sign he will say something unexpected
Ije lifts her head and glances at her father
Her heart beats fast, does she dare hope?

"You honor us, Obi, by coming to our home.
A great man like you rarely looks down this low.
Our daughter Ije-oma is indeed ready to marry,
But she is the youngest of the two left unmarried."

Ije holds her breath to keep from fainting
She cannot believe what her father is saying
"We cherish peace above all else in this house.
Ije-oma must marry – right after her sister."

Obi turns a cool gaze towards Ije-oma
Who now stares at him forgetting her place
She looks away quickly but not before he saw
A look of pure joy ablaze on her face

Obi casts an angry stare upon the Old Man
Whom he is certain is speaking untruth
He distinctly recalls that twenty years before
Daughter Number Three had wed before Two

(to be continued)

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