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Chekeleke in the sunset sky (Of Egrets and flapping fingers)
6 on the dot. another cloudy evening
thunder:
grandeur groans and grunts,
welcome the rain.
they fly by
in rhythm under the blue skies.
brisk and swift,
tender swings,
in their wings,
in the wind -
chekeleke!
my hands meet their sway
in compulsion;
a reflex fashioned in conformance,
reminiscent of infancy:
coated fingers in whitish tattoo -
symbolism of innocence
or of adored superstition.
I checked out my fingers,
let out a chuckle,
waved to the rainy sky,
went back to Durban Gen,
as daylight fades.
Last few words:
Growing up as an African kid, myth holds it that egrets bring good fortune when one waves at it, in flipping of the fingers, and a whitish mark is left on the fingers. This poem is a depiction of that childhood fantasy.
Editing stage:
Content level:
Not Explicit Content
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Comments
Geezer
Tue, 2021-04-13 17:24
Excellent!...
I love hearing about one's culture and legends. The stories are something to pass on to children and great for keeping one's ethnicity alive. This piece is remarkable in that it is so like something that you would hear from many cultures around the world
and easily understood. Thanks for a great piece.~ Geez.
.
There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
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Ifeanyichukwu O...
Tue, 2021-04-13 17:52
Thanks Geezer. You've said it
Thanks Geezer. You've said it all and remarkably so.
I appreciate.
scribbler
Tue, 2021-04-13 19:50
White egrets only show up around here once in a while.
I always enjoy watching them glide around and fish when they Do come around. Enjoyed your poem..stan
Ifeanyichukwu O...
Wed, 2021-04-14 00:08
Thank you Stan
Thank you Stan
Michael Anthony
Tue, 2021-04-13 23:06
they fly by
they fly by
in rhythm under the blue skies.
brisk and swift,
tender swings,
in their wings,
in the wind -
chekeleke!
my hands meet their sway
in compulsion;
Beautiful use of words here - the imagery, flow and rhythm - well done!
Michael Anthony
Ifeanyichukwu O...
Wed, 2021-04-14 00:10
I really appreciate Michael.
I really appreciate Michael. Regards!