Ukwu Jie Agu Poem by *Tony Cemaluk Egbuonu

When Challenge Cripples the Lion

It was not the hunter.
It was not the drought.
It was health-related.
A small thing that entered big bones
and sat down like landlord.

Yesterday, the forest ran
when he cleared his throat.
Today, the throat clears him.
His roar now sounds like prayer.
His steps now count like debt.

The mgbada heard.
News travels on small legs.
'Ukwujie agu'
'The lion is down'

So they trooped.
They came to the den.
Not with spears.
With memory.
Memory of childish tales of missing children.
Memory of nights that had no moon.
Memory of debts already settled.

The lion fears not death.
Death, a mere visitor that knocks once.
The lion fears this —
waking up in a body that forgot how to be king.
Watching the throne become bed.
Watching prey become witnesses.

Because health is the first crown.
Before territory. Before teeth.
If might falls, the lion falls.

But listen —
Even crippled lions teach.
The forest learns patience.
The cubs learn to hunt.
And the lion learns
that a king
must at least know how to stand in truth.

So if challenge comes,
let it never meet a lion
who already paid his debts.