Ifeanyi Bob Ekechukwu | + Follow Poet |
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Tales of King Shaka

Gbum Shaka!
Sing to me,o Angel of
The legendary conqueror,
The great elephant that 
Shook the foundations of 
The earth.

Whirrrrrrrrrr......hear the 
The voice of the wind 
Whispering about the 
Only Ama Nkosi:

Between the Drakensberg
And the Indian ocean,
The immortalized most 
Dreaded kingdom lived.
Out of the bowels of 
Nandi came a son of 
Senzangakhona who
Was born into the 
Kingdom of Zulu.
A child of prophecy,an 
Illegitimate son;the 
Condition of the prophecy
  Fear not!Nandi 
daughter Of Bebe,for out 
you Comes a mighty 
nation of Blood-stained 
spear.
Born in month of 
Untulikazi (July,1787),his 
Birth coincided with the 
Demise of Crown Prince-a 
Bad omen you can call it. 
Kings feared his birth,he 
Became victim of 
Humiliation and cruel 
Treatment.
In misery,his early days 
Spent near Babango 
Brought a turning point 
In his life-he journeyed 
With his mother to a 
Distant land,under the 
Care of the foreign king,
An outcast became a 
Military leader,formidable 
Tactics he formed, 
Employed in battle-field,
Victory they got.
Foes were mercilessly 
Vanquished,for he never
Left his enemy behind.
A man whose emotions 
Had been steeled.
His battle prowess earned
Him respect and fear.
At due time,his 
fatherland He visited and 
seized the Throne by 
force.
Kwabulawayo,Shaka's 
Capital represented 
Power And death;there 
the spirit
Of Shaka spoke to the 
Uttermost parts,the one
Who when seated caused 
The earth to rumble.
He ruled with the magical
Powers of the 
Witch-doctor,his blade 
Was forged in the world 
Of the dead,there a spirit 
Said "the spirit of the 
Blade" and Shaka replied 
"no,the spirit of Shaka 
Speaks". "So be it,son of 
Zulu" replied the spirit.
Using his military 
acumen To subjugate 
Neighbouring 
villages,united all 
Surrounding kingdoms 
Under his sceptre.
A fearless 
warrior,Crushing with 
iron Feet,plundering at 
will.
He had wealth beyound 
Measures.
The undefeated great 
Elephant,who the 
Foreigners he withstood.
A blood-thirsty hound, 
Who buried multitudes 
on His mother's burial.
Out of his reckless 
Killings,conspiracy was 
Hatched.
  How have the mighty 
Fallen at Dukuza,in the 
Hands of his kins-men 
And trusted body-guard 
Mbopha,King Shaka was 
Mudered.
His last words"hey 
Brothers! you kill me 
Thinking you will rule,but
The swallows will do that.
Are you stabbing 
Me,kings of the earth?You 
Come to an end through 
Killing one another".
After his death,the 
Heavens wept,the earth 
Refused to yeild its 
Substance.
   The tale of king Shaka 
Lives lives through 
Generations.
Then whirrrrrrrrrr.......the
Voice of the wind echoes 
Into obilivion.

Copyright © Ifeanyi Bob Ekechukwu | Year Posted 2013

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