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IFEGI-OKU (WEEK 17) - "First Son At Last?" |
WEEK 17 – FIRST SON AT LAST?
Obi in the bushes wrestles leaves
Long-stemmed sisals bowing to the rain
He rips handfuls, hoes down the rest
Trudges to his farm, the stems on his back
Setting down the leaves, he begins his task
Re-wrapping the young yams against the rain
A thing he'd already done one week before
For The Gods send the rains always on this day
Obi rips the old leaves from off the seedlings
And reties the new sisals around their roots
Not minding the double effort this task requires
Not minding the fact he'd be thought a fool
Working in the rain as though it were breeze
Working in the dark as though it were day
Working alone as though he were childless
Working in the rain to drown his sorrow
Amadiora lights the night with a silent whip
Illumines Obi's hands, trembling in the rain
A young yam seedling cupped in his palms
Looking so small in the width of his hand
He contemplates it meekly as though a wish
Wishing above all to be granted his gift
To break at last his mother's wicked curse
O! Gods in heaven, may she rot in hell!
"Obi-ajuluuuuuu! Obiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!"
Obi looks up at the sound of his name
He waits without breathing for Chidi's father
The only man who calls him his childhood name
The only man alive whom he carries in his heart
The only man alive whom he equally hates
For Chidi's father is blessed with sons
As many as he Obi is damned with girls
Chidi's father bursts forth from the darkness
A man of fifty though his face doesn't speak it
Also on that face now is a gaping wide smile
Which doesn't falter as he dances in the rain
Chidi's father moves slowly towards Obi
His arms outstretched, his eyes twinkling
Gyrating his body, he twirls around Obi
Welcoming him into the fold of fathers
A father who has now borne himself a son
A son who will one day bear himself a son
And in this way, Obi's line will endure
Long after he passes to the land of his fathers
Obi drops the seed he had been clutching
Covers his face with the palm of his hands
He doesn't want his friend to see his weakness
As his tears gush down to mix with the rain |
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