Again

pregnant men

have sent their gowns

to the washer men.

They return

hoping to convince the lambs

that the leopard's teeth

are now clipped, his spots bleached...

Have you seen the razor

that cuts the leopard's claws?

Have you found the soap

for the washing of the tarnish of iron

bleeding through the white body

of our local earthenware?

Nsukka, A ugust, 1998