ELEME IS MY NAME

Eleme is my name
It was not always the same
As ugly beasts reared heads
And evil spread
In the hearts of settlers
And other dwellers
When men searched for places
To dominate and base
Riding on roaring waves,
Sheltering in spiting caves
Bracing for fangs of evil night
And fierce battles of might
Though many were uncalled for
They were to prove more
That men were tied
To defending their pride

Wide waters were my bed
On thorny paths, I tread
Dared the tiger in his domain
Gave the lion a fist of pain
For to cross the wild
Was no walk for the mild

We were fearless warriors
And roaming territorials
But bonded in search
For better economic reach
As convocation of raptors
In hunt for bush ranters

We’re first alone on this plains
Ere I set men from the chains
With no one but my son
In the wild, under the hot sun
From those who feast
On weaker men as beasts
And I asked for no praises

I have seen many faces
Envious faces, dubious faces
Evil faces and kind faces
But you are the one
With a face and with none
A shadow in the night
Nocturnal smoky trite
What could the wren,
Higher sky’s very xen,
Do to the eagle,
Soaring heaven’s own regle?

There is no me and you
The rain and the dew
Share no oneness
Than dog-nose-wetness
We became neighbours
But you never repay favours

My guidance angels
Are no dark strangers
But spirits of my dead fathers
And those of their fathers

II
Eleme is my name
A song star of distant fame
Who uncrowned raffia palms
And doled out streaming alms
In goods, cowries and wine
And introduced herb and vine
An unconquered strong warrior
Civil above ordinary courtier
I journeyed from among men
Through creeks of beasts n men
To make home between land,
And water, by the little island.

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Nwafor Awala
2022