INCANTATION II
Gods of the land,
Today by the potency of the
Four winds
I implore you with this kola nut to be the gods
Of good fortunes
Not sanguinary vampires - draining
Blood from our dry veins -
To saturate your wayward bellies
Which respect nor sons nor sundry.
Yes, that you should be the gods of fecundity
Not instigators of commendaces -
Drawing hot tears from our eyes.
Our defenders shouldn't be our offenders!
So today, by the power of a left-over palm wine
We charge you to retreat your steps
And make our land among the equals
Of all good lands...
We truly deserve it
Because a child shouldn't cry
On the back of its mother;
River of life shouldn't turn blood;
Rainfall shouldn't wither crops;
And love shouldn't turn cold
So today, with this animal blood,
I pray that as morning
And night never meet,
And that a river never flow backwards;
May sunlight never turn nightfall
In our lives.
The kola nut, in many West African cultures, is often used ceremonially, presented to chiefs or to guests.
ReplyDeleteSo true sire; you're quite endowed with the rich cultural heritage of Africa.
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