A Rainstorm of Curses

(for every invader)

by

Obododimma Oha


Roused, the power to curse again
On beholding these many dead!
Gather around, ancient guardians!
Time again when you lift your ọfọ
And let it descend heavily upon the earth!

Come, rainstorm of curses,
In strokes and flows and twists,
Come, it is time.

Gather around, Great Elements,
Roll up your rage into a ball of fire
And drop it
In the homestead of the sender and the messenger!

Come, the riotous breath!
Lock up the doors and windows
Of those lungs that inhaled life to end life.

May those unrepentant thieves
Who steal from Chukwu’s eternal project
Meet the ọkụ-mgbeehi!
May it follow them home
And harvest their welcome!

Nwa-nwa pụta ụwa, ọ lọkwuru!

May miseries suddenly descend
The devastating misery on Eke-Ukwu!
The dumbfounding misery on Orie-Nta!
The climax of miseries on Afọ!
The finishing blow on Nkwọ!