When they seek bread
You hesitate to speak
Of the bread of life
For they look you in the eye
And say
Can’t you see that I’m hungry?
How can you make
The spirit strong
When the body is still so weak?
And so you fall silent
And wait with the rest,
For the rest, in peace…
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
If you decide, and start
To do nothing
Your gods will help you to
To nothing.
If you decide, and start
To do something
Your gods will help you to
Do something.
Onye kwe
Chi ya e kwe!*
Nature will strengthen the fruits
Of the seeds you sow and grow.
– Che Chidi Chukwumerije.
————
* Igbo proverb: “If you say yes, your god will also say yes.”
Che Chidi Chukwumerije 