Beasts of Nalunga I Poem by Jack Mapanje

No, I never thought I'd
return to them so early
but beasts of Nalunga
have a mind of their own
that draws out the most
tenacious in us within
their temporal spirals,
trying our temper and
tempting our faith. Our
antediluvian sages were
right to consider them
too stubborn; for beasts
of Nalunga have legs that
won't lift, eyes with mind-
boggling cataracts, ears
which won't hear, flesh
and bones that won't feel -
they are the most eloquent
when our gods conspire
with despots to suppress
people's inventive ways.