ODE TO UKANAFUN
At the countryside she lives,
Surrounded by many children,
Some in hilly places far away,
Many at home to give warmth.
Her sons are nobles in thrones,
Lions crafted after their ancestors,
Her daughters, colourful pheasants,
The very best every heart desires.
Richly blessed by Heavens & Earth,
On the geography of a plain land,
Soft and gentle with her peaceful shores,
Raped by war but surely, she survived.
A greenland cited beside blue waters,
Masters of true human mill of skills,
Strict keepers of ancient boundaries,
Worshippers of no graven images.
Her glory is a song in the past,
The chants we no longer hear,
Her grief has gone above the skies,
Her tears create a rushing ocean of blood.
Where did you lose your children,
Are they still sons of your loins?
How did hawks hatch from your eggs?
What beast did you bring home to cheat on Father?
Your adulterous life the Sun sees,
The Moon shines on your rascal sons,
Your daughters are wayward queens,
The Royal Stars reject them all.
How do we forgive our present,
When our past was a shiny gold?
How do we call upon the future,
When today bore deep holes in our hearts.
Hear me O! ancestors of the land,
Refuse my words and die again,
Let your bones bear more shame,
If you don't sweep them away.
Our ancient marks are violated,
Our sacred forests defiled,
Our paths grow grasses,
Our fine image has been soiled.
Answer me O! ancestors,
Are you blinded by distance?
Has age weaken your strength,
Or you've lost interest in us?
Your labour will be in vain,
And your name, extinct forever,
If you don't act like you used to,
Let your shame be boundless.
Since our elders choose to be silent,
I come as one of your many sons,
How will I blow your royal horn,
If I'm adopted by a strange land?
(c)2018
<3<3 IDUEHE ANNY UDOM <3<3
