THE CHIEF DEITY BY UCHE FAVOUR

GENRE: POETRY TITLE: THE CHIEF DEITY WRITER: UCHE FAVOUR, NIGERIA REVIEWER: WAMBUA MUINDI, KENYA  
The poem in six stanzas and 24 lines of poetry, describes a chiefly being whose powers seem abounding and binding given the choice of words. The descriptive language choice is enough to portray the image of a character that is immense in might – both over humans and forces of nature.
 
The persona almost religiously depicts the nature of this deity. A deity is considered to be a supreme being held with veneration among religious circles. The last stanza for instance offers a sight of their abilities and leaves no doubt that their power is unchallenged. This is qualified by the title of the poem that uses the absolute and definite article.
 
In the fifth stanza, the persona alludes to the creation story. This Biblical allusion serves to illustrate the power dynamic and by extension, the relationship between God and man as the persona highlights that the wonders were bestowed to mankind.
 
Given the wisdom, wrath and authority of the Chief Deity, humans with wonder will not plunder the Deity's creation. This is highlighted by the cautious reverence deduced by the personas diction.
 
The poem uses anaphora in the third stanza, which qualifies it; though not exclusively, as religious poetry. This establishes a musical pattern that makes the poem easily memorable and effortlessly aesthetic. This is repeated with the repetition in the last line of the last stanza.
 
Conclusively, the poem whilst being allegorical has used the persona to bring into perspective biblical and liturgical issues to do with religion by using the title The Chief Deity.