LALONPE

LALONPE
The villagers said she would never marry.
She shamed them.
They said she wouldn't give birth.
She laughed at them.
When her babies were dying,
She knew there was a problem.

Tears soiled her lappa every night.
She cried her joy away.
Adigun found himself another wife.
They had finally gotten her.
The villagers had more reason to talk.
She wept some more.

Lalonpe spent her money on sacrifices.
The child would stay.
Adigun gave her more time which she utilized.
Her belly was rounded.
The villagers opened their mouths in shock.
She had a beautiful son.

Six years went fast and down the drain.
Ropo was a bright child.
He was the best in class, howbeit sickly.
Lalonpe always had agbo.
She reassured herself that he was fine.
Until one day, one cold.

Lalonpe lost her son and she shivered.
She had lost so.
The mouths began to talk again.
She wept her eyes out.
One day Lalonpe went to the stream.
She never came back.
She deliberately waded into the deep.
Adigun almost died.
He was a man and he had to be strong.
He had a wife so young.
Later, the doctor came from the big city.
He spoke to the villagers.
Women with similar problems came to him.
He smiled.
Two weeks later he came with other young people.
Tests were carried out.
Sickle Cell Anaemia.
Lalonpe was dead.

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