Okonkwo Poem by Chukwuemeka Ezeamalu

Nkiti! Nkiti! ! —In vain I insist.
Ikuku ama n'onya — when is air caught in snares?
If you must beat the gong; awake too the deaf
Where distance ears vibrate upon your cast, duel
Folks quick to cross shallow and deep waters to see

When is a pepper tree climbed?
Round and around thou must approach to pluck, and
The storm that carries your fame calms at my reach
When the waxing moon unveil the shadow of death
Thus, thine limbs next to follow the braves doom'd

Stealthily you aim'd and shoot
Yet, the beast is without fright and took no flight
Craving for more bones to break and yours to whet
If thou hast voice spared, pray to meet the merciful me
Or meet your glorious departing at the swift of fury

A victim of gods' only fault?
Unfair or fair, fear deprived; though, I long dearly to catch
To feel the fear of my weeping victims past and to come
When you'll cry either for pain or courage, it'll exalt me
To make quick the soul's exit as your shadow rest still

Okonkwo! Chant the cheering crowd.
By now, I'm well known to you as your fate is destined
The mortal god robbed of heaven's dwelling chambers
Upon this soil I shall meet my fate in the course of time,
To glorify the hands that the immortal gods have chosen