Cauldron Anthology Issue 15 - Crone 1st | Page 11

My GODS ARE NOT CARVED IN WOOD

Clive Uche
My father told me a story Of a time when gods walked the earth Like men , they ate , drank , fought each other And even made love to their wives .
Of a time when Sango was Alaafin of Oyo Whose voice was as loud as thunder So loud , it made the sky burst open And pour forth rain that turned into a river .
He told me about the guile of Ekwensu whom most men detested so much Because like Janus , He was two faced and unpredictable .
He spoke of a time when in her anger , Ani would cause a famine Because men had failed to sacrifice to her As well as dedicate their harvest to her . So you see , I worship a plethora of gods Whose duties vary from time to time .
On some days , My sacrifice consists of a white cock , On other days , It is a plate of roasted yam and palm oil With a jar of palm wine to wash it all down .
My gods are not carved in wood Nor moulded with clay They are everywhere and ever present in my life .
So the next time you hear a thunder in the sky ,