WEEK 11 – THE TWO OLD WIVES


Ifegi-Oku's mother refuses to eat
Her back is turned from Wife Number Two
Who is kneeling beside her sister co-wife
The food bowl held forlornly in her hands

"This punishment you take is too severe.
You have not eaten since Our Wife came.
Our daughters need you to smile and laugh,
Especially Amaka* our charming last-born."

"There'd be no others after my marriage rites.
He gave me this word on our marital bed.
Why would he choose now to break my heart?
We have no need for a Wife Number Four."

"My husband did give me those very same words.
Before you came, in the same marriage bed.
I argued as you do against a new wife, but
You've blessed my life as a sister-wife should."

Ifegi-Oku's mother bows her head
In shame, she softly begins to cry
Wife Number Two comforts her
Dries the tears spilling from the other's eyes

"Have pity on our house, Wife Number Three.
Let us not quarrel with our Wife Number Four.
Our husband is moved to save our house.
The fault is ours for not bearing him sons."

"I hear what you say, Sister-wife Number Two.
The wound in my heart will probably heal.
But how can this house ever walk with pride
When our husband dares lie with an invalid!"

"Be careful, Sister, do not The Gods offend
Less they inflict upon you Number Four's dead leg.
Don't trouble yourself with our husband's ways.
Our lot is Woman -- we do not understand."

Wife Number Two gives the food once more
Wife Number Three at last accepts it
She picks at the amala as though it is dirt
Its sugar-sweet taste bitter in her mouth



*The name with which Ifegi-oku is known in her family,
since her father will not permit the name her grandmother gave her.

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