DIDACTIC: "AND THEN THE DANCER BECAME THE VICTOR" BY AKAN ESSIEN

When the music played

the dancer was marked  

as prey.  

It was their prayer  

that the tune  

turn poison  

in their coyote  

traps

so the dancer  

would buckle  

under the weight.

But the people  

read the script  

right-side up

steady  

as trees  

that refuse to fall.  

They knew  

the man of dance  

would not abandon  

hope

and would never  

eat the feast  

alone.

The brooms  

the coyotes used  

to drum their lies  

melted in their palms 

like wax  

in a furnace.  

Their baits  

evaporated  

turning to mist  

on a chicken’s  

wing.

Now the man of dance  

has taken the floor again

and the coyotes  

scatter  

into ghosts.

The music  

of justice  

rings loud  

to guide his steps.  

May he keep time  

to the rhythm  

his people sing

and may his dance  

give birth  

to laughter

to bread

to peace.

© Akan Essien

- Uyo

“And Then the Dancer Became the Victor” by Akan Essien is a political and allegorical poem that portrays the struggle between a determined leader and those who seek to undermine his success. The poet presents the “dancer” as a symbol of a political figure who faces opposition, traps, lies, and deliberate attempts to make him fail. However, the people recognize the truth behind the schemes and remain steadfast in their support of the dancer.

The poem shows how the opponents’ plans eventually collapse, as their “brooms,” “baits,” and deceptive strategies lose their power. Despite the challenges, the dancer returns to the stage as a victor, while his enemies retreat into insignificance. His victory is presented not merely as a personal achievement but as a triumph of justice and the collective hopes of his people.

Ultimately, the poem celebrates perseverance, popular support, justice, and political victory. It also expresses the poet’s hope that the leader’s success will translate into laughter, prosperity, peace, and a better life for the people.