Ukwu Jigodu Agu isi Agu Ka Na Achi Ofia (Crippled Lion's Head Still Rules The Forest) Poem by *Tony Cemaluk Egbuonu

UKWU JIE AGU
When the Lion is Crippled,
Dearly, kindly note.

Crippled lion is not doomed. Not done and dusted.
When the eyes still see far.
The body may sit down,
But the voice still shakes the forest.
Demobility ties the body,
But lion's head discerns, with remote sensor directs.

Untiring brain never retires
for untired body mildly tied with trembling limbs.
Publications for peers, for community life and vitality
still churned out from products produced.
Mentees numerous, within and across,
ready awaiting relief deployment
while lion boss guides, guards from remote throne.

Crippled lion is still lion!
The lion is crippled, but it is still a lion!
The leg may be crippled,
But the lion's head still rules the forest!

This tried to cage lion,
That tried to slow lion,
All concerted to de-crown, de-robe lion.
But Omnipotent, Chi Agu refused, protected.
Secured the crown, the robe, the ultimate, because the brain never deteriorated, dis-integrated, decayed.
Seasoned woman never forgets how to suck eggs, nor misses seasoned dancing steps.

So let the young run the field,
let the cubs frolic in the forests.
Lion stays and steers the ships, rudder to glorious destination.
Ukwu jie, isi no.
The leg is down, the head is up.
Agu bu agu. Forever. Forever.