MANY VOICES by Oma
Spirit & Bones
mmuo na okpukpu
there is no balance
only ever action
held on both sides
to truly be(come)
god.
12 Parts of the Body
Ike: also known as bum bum
Aka: you know my hands belong to my chi
Ukwu: whose footstool am i
Onu: this mouth is a portal
Olu: the tunnel for god's voice, if you want to hear darkness (light) come closer
Ara: my breasts will not conform to what is known as family units, it will conform to what will be called madness
Amu: a mans penis, the most detached yet dangerous part of his body
Afo: god lives here
Nti: silence is always speaking to the ear who will listen
Anya: when will i see my mother again
Ikpu: i want to die there between every thigh that can spit back libation
Imi: the most sensitive part of this body, our nose.
STAY
I have written this in several places
it is one of those things which came to me and stayed,
so like every true believer i insist it came to be shared;
while one tries to figure out the things they do not understand,
they must continue with those things they do understand,
those things may be good even sufficient but not enough
especially those things that pertain to the light of one's soul.
I Shall Not Fall
Did my mother lose me for nothing?
and did i lose my mother for nothing,
no. Then love, real mighty love
must find my heart
it must reach me when i want it the most,
without turning the thirst in my mouth
into dust.
Did my whole life become a vessel for nothing?
no. Then mother why,
why must my heart ache with longing
and still be denied satisfaction.
IN THE MORNING
Unlike my peers
Like my peers
I do not sleep
I do not stay in bed either
I sit awake
Searching for god in manuscripts
On paperbacks
Through journal pages
Hitting walls until i remind myself each time
With a still small voice
To rise and praise my god.
Then early in the morning
All those empty pages before me
Turn to water
And as its child i flow
In all of it with ease.
STAY POSSESSED
each attempt at a deliverance
from ones calling
has only ever led to a white god
gaining praise
and the wise know
there is no whiteness
without bloodshed
so take this advice
stay possessed and free
to answer your calling.
my body is an IKENGA
molded and made
into my image and likeness
my chi dwells in it
my agwu thrives through it
my lifelines embody it
in this lifetime
for this life
with this time
made from dust
and water
and fire
and air
in its end it will be returned
to my God.
I SAID YES
I am free
I am free
I am free
I found my light
accepted myself
called on my god
I reconciled my soul
with my guides
with my ancient ones
I sought out my path
and by God's word
now i am found.
I’m Right Here
When she dances
she twirls
she remembers
How mother could not be a mother
the things once sought
which could not be found
the lover who tried
and failed to find a way
to love her.
Have a Look
Baby, have you seen
the laps of skin under my arms
jiggling with each movement
have a look
our mothers lay there
Darling, our mothers lay bear
there in my arms
they lay naked
exposed to my movements
asking me, child
what will you do with us
as you age to reflect our image
Child, what will you make of us?
have a look!
the VEGANS
We salute you comrades
to choose to abstain
in a world full of indulgence
is a great thing
to choose to be closer to nature
keep yourself more grounded
than most
is a wonderful thing.
May i remind you of your ears,
mother nature's juices flow in your gut
as your tongue greets her fruits each day,
you are blessed.
Remember, the parts of your body
that speaks the language of abstinence
most of us choose to ignore it.
Rid yourself of other parts
that seek to lean into judgment of others.
Many are chosen
few are called
yet all are Gods children
all come from and return to mother.
HUNGER
What could its difference be
from desire and thirst
from anger
from love
from curiosity
from a memory
Perspective i believe
is what separates the heat from the sun
the air from the water
the sand from the stone
But anyone who knows better
must agree and disagree with this
that no amount of covered distance
can turn the heat into the sun
without the hand of God
So who has seen that hand
and remained whole.
Where Is She?
Stranger tell me
have you seen my mother?
Yes she
roaming at crossroads
Silent
yes silent
like my history
and destined path
which she failed to tell me about.
In the Image of Mother God
When i die
i want to be buried properly
haven claimed three children
haven raised many minds
lived to be old enough
against all odds
when i die
i want to be buried
sitting and standing
like the image of mother
a goddess of glory
which i am
I Wish I Wish
Mummy, i forgive myself
For never telling you how lonely i felt
In your bed while you were off getting an education.
Mummy, do you forgive me
For not letting you know
When i had my period
Though it was not my first
It was the first time i had it under the same roof as you
And i couldn't tell you
Because between you and i
The things that came out of me
Had to stay hidden.