Naked Kings

Give me a cup of wine
not sour wine, Agada,
give me a cup of wine
brewed between the rocks
of Mkpuma-Akpatakpa
the town of wretched opulence.

And burn the Ikoro
with the flames of their silences
for there will be no more summoning
of the deaf and dumb
in the gathering of whispers.

Transport their gongs
to the town of Mkpuma-Ekwaoku
the land of naked kings
and if you ever get there
beat the gongs in their market square
and mock the fate of those who are blessed.