#123. Floetry by JulietKego: A Grave Conversation
A Grave Conversation
Do not come to my graveside,
weeping in whispers
afraid he will hear
I am with you child, in every breath
Adanneya, Adannaya
Daughter of my heart,
custodian of my future,
I pray my words,
wrapped with the silken winds
blow gently, find you keeping well
I see your legs are beginning to swell;
him kicking softly on the inside,
him kicking coldly on the outside
you walking all day on tip toes
afraid of the looming contraction
thoughts run riot like unleashed foes
I know too of the hidden pains you fear
how you start at the sound of footsteps near
the wispy, pungent smell of a tout
the staggering walk of a lazy, waka ‘bout
do not come to my grave, nnennaya
I am with you child, n’ver far
Be still, daughter,
soon you will be free
of the pumping pain
from his heavy hand,
and his choking, collar’d band
never will you fall under
his raised fists again
the elders have spoken in thunder,
the dowry of cowry beads returned
your ancestors are preparing
his forced homecoming
First, let this pregnancy safely birth
souls gone before will see you through,
in your seed our memories live on
push through tears; tearing and bleeding
push with fire, as you would the enemy
who lays beside your pillows
breathe in fire, breathe out water
commune with me, nnem
as the midwives’ stitches,
thread through skin and lineage
Adorable Adaora,
Adanneya, Adannaya
daughter of my youth,
witness of my memories
proof of my earthly walk
go to the land of the spirits,
wrestle them down
go there a girl, return a woman
bearing two souls
the elders say when a child is born,
a mother is born too;
both beholding the other,
as new creatures of birth
Adaora, nnem
find your voice
drown the chatter of the world’s noise
live the truth bursting within your chest
nnem, only then, will I, your mother
reclaim my lost peace in an eternal rest.
(C) Juliet ‘Kego Ume-Onyido
[Featured Image is used with express permission;
curtesy of Kree-Canadian artist – (c) Jackie Traverse].
I love what you are doing for African literature. Keep up the good work
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Thanks a lot Kamarudeen! Keep on writing, let’s keep sharing our stories…. 🙂
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