a literary magazine.
THE SECRET, COMING SEASON, CAPTAIN OF THE TALES
Glossary
Obatala- A god sent by supreme God to create earth in Yoruba mythology.
Shango - Yoruba god of thunder
Ejola- A great Snake (Rainbow)
Olugbo- Yoruba god of forest
Iyemoja- Yoruba god of water (mermaid)
Esu- Yoruba god of mischief
Ojuju- Boogeyman
Oluode- Chief hunter of yorubaland
Bata drum- Yoruba drum beating for gods
Cowries- Currency of ancient Yoruba.
THE SECRET
Eons with the Nubians, in the bows of Ta-seti,
Hidden in Kemet,
Moon saw it in healing powers of Sangoma’s
And Sans survival.
Older than the gods, young in the new born cry
Long fore Egypt’s birth,
Kept in lions mane, and among Yoruba deities
Pre-ile ife
Kept universe, alive when time was a stranger
From Darkest pit void
Sun took from it at awakening of beginning
And became a god
Yet, see it humbles the gentle crawling snails and
Kind hearted dolphins
Holy men seek it, atop mountains highest peak
Fools in gold conquest
Root of giant Mountains, Language of Roaring rivers
Flowing ever fountains
It’s the beginning, of all things beginnings
The end of all ends.
COMING SEASON.
Since Obatala scattered sand across earth,
Shango's fury will light the sky
And the great Ejola will arch his back
To drink from the rivers.
Men know season is at hand to drive
Away harmattan, that Olugbo
Can stretch his green hand to
Invade the field with sprouting
Colorful weed heads.
The fishermen cast cowries
Into the river to appease Iyemoja
Before casting net to catch her
Slippery spawns.
Esu walked between two brothers:
One went back home with
Bloody garment of the other.
Night will spread its mat
And Ojuju will walk upon it,
To scare the little ones.
The Oluode will set his trap for
Buffalo returns back to field of May.
Strike the Bata drum, let it ripple in
Glorious beats, that the gods
May favor us in this season
Of planting.
CAPTAIN OF TALES
You commandeer Queen Anne’s revenge,
And lay hold of Black Bead, prowling
Its deck like beast favored by weird.
In deceit you call the north Thule
Seeking Phantom Isle for St Brendan’s blessing.
Your mates are giants from Prester John,
To contend giants wielding flame upon
Path to promise land of saints,
Bring not nectar of Ulysses for headless
Roams the land.
Who stood by you as first mate, he’s Vlad
The Impaler who once kept Charon busy on his lake.
Years ago you returned from Hy-brasil
With chest full of glorious tales, when your
Second mate Sunjata slaughtered Ceto,
And the sea foam red deep to the nether
Of Mariana trench, and far to Pitcairn Island.
Again you sail to claim the kingdom
Of Saguenay, after consulting a
Jengu that warned you to beware of
Manticores that hides in treasure coves,
Mountainous Roc, and Griffins that
Hunts the sky,
Shall Thoth sail with you to unknot,
Riddles of the blue men of the Minch?
Beloved of gods, unsheathe Excalibur,
Blemmyae roams the beach, and ever
Watchful Basilisk its weald, when you shall
Seek fresh water to refill empty casks.
I rue to sail with you Prince of tales to
El-dorado upon bloody waves,
With sail waving like dreams, and mast
Like Moses staff but am mere mortal, I bode the
Three hundred Spartan helmets sailing with you.
How far before you reach fountain of youth,
Conqueror of sea, the wind rises against you,
Quick bid your Halcyon to lay her eggs.
Farewell till rising sun draws your mast
To my waiting eyes, or the moon shows
Your flag, to pierce my heart with joy.
Bio:
Owolusi Lucky is a Nigerian writer. He has published or has work forthcoming in magazines, anthology and journals including, Noctivagant press, Crosscurrent, America Diversity Report, Afrorep, Decolonial Passage, Scars publication, macromicrocosm, Dietmilkmag, Sweetycat Press, Overtly Lit and others. He shares his thoughts at: Africanmighty.art.blog
Twitter:@mighty_scribe.