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IFEGI-OKU (WEEK 40) - "The Errant Mid-Wife" Part 3 of 3 |
WEEK 40: THE ERRANT MID-WIFE, Part 3 of 3
At mention of the "north", the village – scatters
Including the wives who up with their crying girls
Run into separate huts to peek from shrouded doors
The men – carefully – approach the Errant Wife
They circle like wolves before her cat-like eyes
"Are yee from the North?" Obi asks uncertain
For the first time since being shown
The Errant Mid-Wife cracks a smile
"You are forbidden in our Southern Lands,"
Ose speaks up, "The border being clear.
Your presence here your death assures but
We'll reconsider if you state your mission here."
They wait uneasily for her utterances
"Loose my hands," she says eventually
"You won't take my life, you Southern fools."
They understand her meaning perfectly
However, no one moves to do her bid
Therefore, she works the ropes herself
Secretly – methodically – quickly!
She gains strength from a place uncanny
Ifegi-oku's eyes beams right at hers
Staring out from her mother's hut-mouth
She feels more kinship with the Errant Wife
Than from all her kin within and without
"State your mission here!" Ose shouts
The Mid-Wife finally breaks the bond
Dives straight for Obi's neglected knife
Seeing what's to come, the men rush in
The women gasp and shield their eyes
Except Ifegi-oku – she sees the woman
Howling defiance as she raises the blade
Then brings it down and cleaves her heart
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