You still don’t know me!
M. O. ENE
New Jersey, USA
Monday, November 20, 2006
1. I did say you don’t know me—
You mortals still don’t know me:
Long after my extensive explanation,
It has not unwrapped interpretation.
I can offer no more assistance;
You must learn from hindrance.
But since Oyibo has addled your brain,
Your culture you flush down the drain.
2. Well, of the drain, it shall be well.
No, not really the well water we sell.
Keep deceiving yourselves nonstop:
You think that with a widow atop
You can annul my paramount power.
Try telling it from another tiny tower.
If your forebears didn’t tell you,
Then someone needs to tell you:
3. “Ajadụ anaghị alụ ọgwụ!”
Besides, I am not “Ọgwụ”;
“Ọgwụ” is voodoo; magic, not fate…
Trifling things for fellows of little faith
And for folks of splashing shallowness
To fill chambers of existential emptiness
Thrust open by incomprehensible curiosity
That mix reality with swindling spirituality.
4. Abụ m Iyi Ogwugwu!
Abụ m Alụsị a na-atụ egwu!
Anụ a na-agba egbe, ọ na-ata nri!
Anụ kpọrọnkọ na-agba mmiri!
Akpaka na-agba n’udummiri!
Akpaka gbagburu enyimmiri!
A tụọ aka, a tụta ihe; a gaa, e rue!
A takata, a gbụọ; a kata, isi ebue!
5. I am Ekwueme, I do as I announce!
I am Ọkaaomee, I do as I pronounce!
Omeọkachie… and what more is there?
Omeiheukwu… big time, now, and here!
Omereọha… for everyone and with rhyme!
Omemgbeoji… and that’s for all, all the time!
I am Okwuoomee… I do exactly as I say.
I am Odenigbo, the author of life’s essay.
6. A kwaa, a kwụrụ… you cannot push me around!
Agada gbachiri ụzọ ugbo… I bestride the farmland!
Ikuku ama(ghị) n’ọnya!
The wind cannot be ensnared!
Ụdọ akpụ(ghị) enyi!
You cannot leash an elephant!
Akụ atụ(ghị) egwu!
I endow wealth; it scares me not!
Ọkụ na-agba ọzala!
The fire that consumes the desert!
Agaba Iduu! Agbara ka ibe ya!
I am the source of fear!
Ga-ga n’ogwu… Ọ kaa, o buru ụzọ!
Exemplary leader, I glide through thorns!
O gbu onye ụbọchị ndụ na-atọ ya ụtọ!
I strike on the days of la dulce vita!
7. You must educate your wards
To note carefully these words:
Ọkụkọ bere na ngige… the chicken on the fence:
Ngige n’egwu, as does the chicken on the fence!
Ewu dịna n’ana … is lying on its hide!
Ọnọ n’enyi… is ready for a rough ride!
Onye ji mmadụ n’ana… is going nowhere!
Onye mere nsọanị… does not on Anị swear!
8. Wisdom is to know — “amamihe.”
As elders say, “Nwoke tiri nwata ihe.…”
He cannot dictate the reaction to pain!
If you think you know me, think again!
Rapid recovery is not in sight…
So keep fighting; keep up the fight!
You will never know me, come kingdom,
For you to know me is the end of wisdom!
ă MOE, November, 2006