The Tragedy of Nma

Nma soul dance naked in the dance of life
Her sole slap naked quilt wearily
In a dance that used to be fun
This dance has lost its luster to her. Yet
She lay on her back in fulfillment of the oath.

Old. Haggard. Weak. Tired.
Both dancers go through the motion
In this connubial dance to life
Each step and jab an achievement for both

In polygamous dance, no one is at peace!
The protagonist dances a balancing act.
The Actresses juggles for a warm night.
Crestfallen siblings gloomily spectate.

Polygamy is a dance! Never mastered.
After forty years of rehearsals, Nma
Like her fellow prisoners knows all the frills
Yet Nma soul wishes for something else.

This connubial politics is choking
It strangulates Teenage nuptial dreams
Nma dares to protest tonight on weak backbone.
But his only interest is navigating Nma’s red sea!

He dances faster and fell like pack of cards on Nma
As the heavens weeps and roar like a pack of lions outside.
He screams his inadequacies at Nma. How dare you Nma!
Polygamy is our custom and tradition! Our life!!




Smiling sadly, Nma sat up on the grass quilt
Wagging her index finger at HIM through the window.
I hate polygamy! Nma said silently
Ignoring the used up weak sapless brute on her chest

Why did you create polygamous men!
Nma screamed at HIM and waited for answer.
He left Nma to her thoughts and the crepe night.
Nma is still waiting
Six feet below the earth surface for the answer!

Inaju.
Ethiopia March 08
Nma means beauty in Ibo language