Adaora - An Orphan's Tale -

Godwin Henry Osaigbovo (Pa Shakespeare)?? Here’s a soul that has the capacity to feel everything so deeply, cutting through the crust of words unspoken. A being that understands even the language of silence and hears when the eyes speak. Pa Shakespeare stands as one of the rising voices in Africa, setting free words left as slaves caged in the heads of many… ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here’s a piece titled Adaora (an orphan’s tale) by Pa Shakespeare Nwayi obi You think she’s s utterly evil! So there can not be any good in her, Why? Because you saw her drinking a bottle of Palmi And smoking several sticks of cigar. You then assume she’s a either a bad person Or a has committed arson. O bughi otú ah?? O di mma When you knew about the abortion You were quick to label her wayward And promiscuous. Oh!!! The insults you rained on Her, You even wish Amadioha would take her life. Cheta When she wanted to tell you What had happened to her. Ekwunife -do not say a thing yet- you Yelled at her. For you were not yet done with her. njedebe nke ndu Life, She exclaim!!! While she took a last look at the knotted rope Dangling down the branch of an ebelebo tree. She cried, screamed, wailed, for life has been Unfair to her, Who would believe that she smoked and drank Just to rid herself of the thought of Committing suicide. That the aborted child was implanted in her By ichie Okonta; her late Father’s brother. Your husband, who consistently raped her; Threatening to evict her and her three younger Brothers from his house if she told anyone. Ndu She had wanted to speak out But everybody was too busy to give A listening ear, so she takes her own life. chukwu m You blamed her ill fate on her Chi. And you still condemned her For commiting an abomination. ‘Adaora may you know no peace, you sighed’. Chee okwu m But remember the tree that gives the palm wine Tapper his daily meals will one day take his life. And no evil act goes unpunished. O buru na i na-eme ihe oma, ezi omume ga-eso gi, O buru na i mee ihe ojoo, ihe ojoo ga-ad. na gburugburu na-aga n’ihu ‘Nye m mmiri’ To wash my hands off this curse that has killed Your father, mother and sister. She shouted at Obinna; Her immediate younger brother. gaa n’ihu. Godwin Henry Osaigbovo (Pa Shakespeare)