WEEK 34: ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR - Part 1 of 4

Ifegi-oku's 12th year is this very day
The day is almost done and no one takes note
She peeks tiredly from Number Four's hut
At the stream of mid-wives to and fro Obi's hut

For the difficult birthing of Son Number Four
Number Two had not been too successful
In continuing her treachery to abort her rival's births
Obi himself had taken over the meals of his Supreme

His boys were born a year apart
One, two, three and now the fourth
Given telling names from Obi's heart
Names too big for children to carry

The first – Obi-Agu, Tiger's Heart
The second – Wo'Kardor, in a word, Scorpion
The Third – Nwaa bu Eze, This Child is King
A name which invited hooded mutters

For Obi's people are free and valiant
Are known far and wide for their lack of kings
Being a community that is led by chiefs
Who are voted upon during ancestral feasts

Obi chose the name with great design
Much like the boy whose name was Sue
If a boy named King could outlive childhood
That boy would live to be a great man indeed

On the newly come, Obi will bow his head
Pick a name as humble as "Thank ye, Gods!"
For all are taught before their mother's milk
To praise The Gods for Fortune's silks

We find Obi now at the side of his fourth
Who is tired and spent, but otherwise proud
He kisses her forehead beading with sweat
Note, an important custom is being broken here:

Men are not around for their children's births
Though an army would it take to've kept Obi out
He's been right there for the birth of the four
Lending cheers and smiles to his cherished wife

Who, with arms outstretched, awaits her son
Held clean in the arms of an aiding mid-wife
Who approaches carefully to deposit the child
When lo and behold! she drops the little boy

(to be continued)