Insane Duel

Insane Duel

There was no going back now.

Proceedings, already cast in stone,

The battle line had drawn

In the sand, and in minds;

Images macabre, shadows long,

Not sure who would carry the day,

Every villager’s mind cluttered.

Ogidi’s waist in loin-cloth strained,

His foe, Agaba, attired alike, raved.

Each wrestler, looking up to the gods

For unqualified victory in a brutal brawl,

Yet, wondered if fighting made sense.

Up-tempo war song the night air dried up,

Sticks in clashes with xylophone ranted;

Cranky gongs the fever pitch made to soar,

Denying rivals the luxury of showing mercy.

Sheer savagery in the death of both ended,

Long after spectators had opted for an end;

Trying to halt a blood-bath proved abortive,

No less, throwing threats at insane pugilists.

Until this day, in the beleaguered village,

Wrestling a thing of the past has become;

Although the sport cherished for long stood

And many a heart then did make go gay up.

Lagos, June 12, 2014