by Damian Kuthalane

Created on: July 16, 2009

The oath of a gorilla

O gods, what have u done to me,
Me alone did you spare of my kind,
You made me watch as my family burnt
But took me! Left them behind!

Cursed be you, you cruel lords,
If I ever come across your race
Though young be my sinews, by my father I vow,
Divinity shan't save you, nor grace!

O cowardly people, where were you
When my sire fell at the gates?

Your statues in the temple did naught to aid,
Nor stirred, to change his fate.

O tell me, did he please you not?
Or maybe his offerings you didn't find good?
Thrice was he fool I say for praying to you,
For you're of stone & not of blood.

But listen now you cowards to the crackling fire in the lake,
Listen to the roars that the Pards make over the slain,
'tis a pity you didn't hear what cries they uttered
As my people's blood they did drain!

Yes! T'was your name they roared as they came in,
Lions, oh you war-gods! You they named in rage,
As they sacked my city & felled my sire
For a blood debt they owe to you of old age.

O you gods of war, so justly named,
For war you brought to my door,
But no son of the Bwindi am I, if I don't find you
And spill your sacred blood on your floor!

Hear my cry now, O Pards &you gods!
'Tis the last war cry of the day!
Revenge will be mine, for I'm the last of my kind,
Afrika! My wrath shall be written in your lay!

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