They grab the cloak
snatch and run with the crook
then lead the way groping like moles
the sheep under their heel
forsaken, their folds broken
roam, scrawny and gaunt
amid the lush fields and stacks of hay;
like lecherous eunuchs
they seize the harems
blooming with ripe maidens
the keys to the boudoirs tied to their waists
still trimesters after trimesters
no sucklings are seen kicking
atop the cots in the barren huts;
with the booming looms in their hands
they deck out in robes of vicuna wool
while the mothers get about clad in rags
having charge of the rolling waters
they splosh and romp in posh pools
but neath the sweltering sun
sweaty men bathe with mere spittle;
into the till they swore to shield
they still dip to fatten their cache :
nannies that purloin the babies’ milk
shepherds with atrophied hearts
numb to moans, deaf to bleats
sheepdogs that hunt with wolves ā
heartless rippers of the realms.
A BRIEF REVIEW ON “RIPPERS OF THE REALMS” BY CHINEDU AGU.
I read this satire with consummate relish.
The oxymoron, “lecherous eunuchs” aroused my curiosity, which was indeed satiated by “no sucklings are seen.”
Ofcourse, “no sucklings” are expected from “eunuchs” regardless how “lecherous,” because lechery without more does not yield potency – giving credence to the latin adage that one cannot give what they do not have, “nemo dat quod non habet.” Sadly, since independence, the Nigerian political space has been flooded by lecherous eunuchs pretending to be leaders and plundering our resources.
I am fascinated by this imagery employed here by the poet.
“Nannies that purloin the babies’ milk,” “shepherds with atrophied hearts,” “sheepdogs that hunt with wolves” “heartless rippers of the realms” couldn’t have described these poli-thief-cians any better.
“Gaunt,” “lush,” “sucklings,” “cots,” “deck,” “clad,” “neath,” “purloin,” “atrophied,” are vintage poetic words.
I cannot fault this sublime piece of work.