The Bible often inspires my poems and stories with a spice of my local dialect (Ibibio). Ecclesiastes 10 verse 16 and 17 and Luke 2:52 inspire the story below, written about a year ago (find a glossary at the end of the story).
Enjoy the imagery in the story and may it stir up your heart to make the Lord your leader first.
Also, may the Lord help us, pray, for the leaders of nations, asking for God’s wisdom for them to lead right (Romans 13, 1 Timothy 2:1 and 2)
Woe to the land whose king was a servant (the king is a child)
and whose princes feast in the morning.
Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.
In the valley of the ignoramuses
The child is king
Drunk in the night
Asleep all morning
To keep him awake, feed him with Ogi mixed with coffee
A child with a moustache and pot-sized belly
At night
He struts, spewing
Disdainful words, mocking every passerby
He struts, green bottle in the armpit, kola in between his lips,
To shop for another round of palmy, nkarika, ntuen Ibok, and Kola.
Bystanders with dark goggles prostate, and clap
“Obong nnyin, infant king, Itong Uwem osong fien. We are loyal.”
Tears filled Uyoata’s eyes as he watched the child and his subjects go past him.
“Abomination!” Uyoata descended the valley, striking the metal gong, and crying, “Gather saints. Tell it to the mountains and hills. The child, a naivete, is a drunk. Grey hair is needed. Grey with a tender, childlike heart. Not given to brewing and sleep.”
Saints gathered, hands on their heads, weeping,
Oh Abasi Ibom di, di, di. Abasi di… Lord, please come, save us from the naïve child.
Be the king,
Rule us. Lead us. Guide us, we cry.
The naïve went home and slept a long time until another baby was born,
He grew in wisdom, and height and ruled
A child is king. He reigns, rules and leads
Long live King. Reign forever.
© Enobong O’wunmi.
Meaning of words:
Ogi – is a fermented cereal pudding from Nigeria, made from maize/grains
Nkarika – Pepper fruit. Palmy – palm wine
Ntuen Ibok – Alligator pepper
Obong nnyin – Our king.
Itong Uwem osong fien – A statement used to express respect to a king, etc
Uyoata -Name of a person
