Sewela

by

Frank Valentyn

In the town of Mattox
a differential incremented readily:
the wealth of Sewela’s family
size of her house and dustily enthused traffic
grew as they prospered steadily
by means transparent to the two hundred

Very old already in her proud brick house
they leered from unloved thatch and corrugated plate
with smouldering hate smilingly disguised by daily politics
questioned her age, their youth jealously less productive
knew that this unnatural trade and commerce
was crafted by occult means unknown to the two hundred

Leaning heavily past tracking TV cameras
tear-streaked, grey-faced, bent Sewela
said she had lost everything, felt very hurt by circumstances
behind her, still occultly glowing in secret places
her smouldering past smokily races, thin flame
old embers waning, mistily disarmed by the two hundred

Shuffling towards equality of small nearby hovel
sparsely supported Sewela proudly proclaims
that she will not be tamed to the village of the banished
unlost, proud ancient fire unblemished, un-sundered Sewela walks away
while in flickering background accusing shadows busily stray
night’s unrequited witching descends on the two hundred

(Inspired by TV coverage of this common incident, September ‘99. There is an entire village of banished individuals, all of whom are accused of unfairly and unethically gaining wealth by witchcraft or having caused injury, death, disease or mishap by occult techniques. Most of these accused have had their property destroyed by fire. Many of them are blamed for the incidence of fatal lightning strikes on cattle, humans or property that are fairly common in this area and quickly sentenced by a convention of the accusers. Sewela was fortunate to have survived the incident, some are not just burnt out but are corporally punished or executed, sometimes by being burnt alive after partial dismemberment. In almost every case the victim is noticeably wealthier than their immediate community and often this wealth is traceable to simple agricultural industriousness, a gift for manufacture or trade. The name Sewela is pronounced Seh-weh-lah, quickly spoken.)

NEXT?
Why don't you look at The Lonely Voice
by: Clarius Ugwuoha
from: Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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