It was said that the lamia took the form of a very young witch
Astonishingly beautiful, enticed a young man to fall in love with her
After snaring one, makes love to him voluptuously and industriously
Till he gets exhausted and,
When he’s limp and helpless, eats him alive
That’s the story of the lamia
The one narrated to me long time ago by grandfather, before he passed on
The one told to him by his grandfather, the great great great Madekesi
Who had a buccaneering friend
Roamed the Indian waters, to the Atlantic
Sometimes wondering as far as the Pacific, into the Caribbean
Where red skinned people lived, where the African slaves were taken to work in white man’s plantations
Never mind he was only born a Bantu, a crop farmer in the African terrain
And
Maybe the lamia was only a myth, maybe not
One thing I’m sure of, such characters live today
Watch out, don’t get feasted on by a female demon in a beautiful skin.
Madekesi, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts. I’m sorry for the loss of Kofi Anan (and I apologize if I spelled his name or your name wrong). Thank you for sharing your voice with the world. Keep it up!
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Thank you so much dear friend! You don’t know what your feedback means to me. I’m so humbled! And don’t mind about the spelling, it’s okay. Have a great time over there!
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Had not thought of Lamia since doing Keats at school some (okay, many) years ago – the fable makes an effective metaphor in your poem.
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Haha… Growing up we’ve all been told about it. In fact I think there’s no country that doesn’t have this fable. It used to scare me as kids, thinking I can fall in love with someone who ends up eating me. If you go to Mombasa, Kenya, you will hear of such stories only that they’re called, “jini”.
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Your posts are so interesting
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Thanks dear! I’m an interesting person, you should meet me! Hahaha…
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😊
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I’m amazed at how much ancient cultures are alike. European tradition speaks of the Succubus and Native Americans had the windigo (male) and the Wampus cat (female panther in human form).
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Sure, we had so much in common. Witchcraft, magic and ghosts. And not forgetting the mermaid… At the end of the day we’re just one people who think the same.
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We are all the defendants of Adam and Noah.
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Sure!
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