Ijele By David Nedu Okpokwasili

Bum! Bam! The exixt of jokers, They run for they shall not witness the coming of the Ijele They say, "are we not masquerades? ain't the Ijele as Spirit as we are?" But, their courage fell as the Ijele prepares to dance. For he shall not dance in the glory of distractions. The Ijele is a lone dancer! Beautified in Glory, Dotted by the colours of the rainbows, Accentuated by the wisdom of no just sage, He hungs on the escorts of the gods, Led by a ready mortal, who counts as privilege his role. The Ijele envelopes, swallows, captures, captivates. He glows and graces forth and back, forth again! His spectators rejoice in his spectacle. They hold their breath and sing his praise. They hunger more but the Ijele does not dance longer. He leaves when the jaws are wide and the yearns louder. Chaka! Chaka! Gbim! Gbam! Bum! Bam! The Ijele doesn't dance twice Yet, his appearance satisfies his patrons Though they yearn for more still they rejoice in his glory! Is Albert Chinualumogu Achebe not the Ijele?! About the Poet David +Nedu Okpokwasili is an Anambra-based Broadcast Journalist and writer who is driven by the need to bring social change. His articles explore themes that address the increasing "value crisis" that the society is passing through due to the global cultural exchange. David does not describe himself as a poet, but as a "sight-seeking sojourner". He wrote 'Ijele' after attending the 2019 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival which is a memorial event hosted in Awka by Izunna Okafor, Coordinator of Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter