B@@ks: Odessa
ODESSA loves nothing more than to see her family again. Taken from her home in Africa, Odessa finds herself stranded on an island in the Caribbean. She soon discovers the island is not all that it seems and magical events start to take place. With the help of NYABINGHI, the hidden queen, will Odessa make it back home? Written by Zoe Logan
Chapter One: Odessa
The blue midnight moon beat down on her back
Odessa ran with all her might
The tall cool grass parted as she hurried through
Her body was now swift and light
Odessa ran and ran until her feet refused
The sun was rising in the east
She lay down, in a field of corn
And waited patiently for the beast
Heavy footsteps climbed the grass
Like a cricket stalking its prey
But as Odessa was ready in defence
Two young boys were dancing in play
Afraid of the unknown, Odessa lay still
Her heart full of fear and strife
Amazed how her people danced free
She questioned, ‘was this the afterlife?’
Odessa then fainted right there in the field
The boys hearing her sorry yelp
Worried that she had fell to death
They ran to the village to get help
Cold water splashed her tired eyes
Odessa awoke with a start
Five or Six faces gazed from above
No instrument could mirror her beating heart
‘Dear child, we are of the Maroon Tribe’ said an elder
‘And what tribe are you from?’
Muffled with fright, she opened her mouth
But the words suddenly didn’t belong
‘Don’t be afraid’ said another
‘We come in peace, are you lost?’
‘We know how that feels’ said one more
‘We too have paid the cost’
Odessa arose from the ground
And sat with the her newly formed shields
She told them her story
And how she was very nearly killed
‘It was early one morning’
‘The sun hot as an oven’
‘I went to fetch some eggs’
‘Mama had asked for half a dozen’
‘There was something strange in the air’
‘Like a sickly thought of dread’
‘But I continued with the day’
‘Erasing such thoughts from my head’
‘The next I knew, I was kidnapped’
‘Connected to a shackle of another’
‘Then marched to the coast’
‘That was the last I saw of Mama and Brother’
‘When we arrived at the shore’
‘My people were climbing huge ships’
‘Scurrying on like weeds’
‘Afraid that they would be picked’
Odessa remembered where she was
In a field with the Maroon Tribe
She had got lost deep somewhere in her story
She pinched herself to see if she was alive
‘Well dear child, this is our land’ said the elder
‘It was taken from us by the men who kidnapped you’
‘We lost many of our people in battle’
‘We ran up to these mountains too’
Odessa suddenly felt at home
Kindness and love surrounding her
She settled into village life
And embraced their culture as they would prefer
Chapter Two: Nyabinghi
Odessa stayed in the village for three years
She was now a part of the family
Although she still always wondered
If Mama and Brother were also free
One blustery evening
Odessa started to dream
Of Mama and Brother smiling
Odessa’s heart was filled with their beam
Just as the dream started to unravel
A noise of thunder clapped outside
Odessa alarmed from the noise
Sat upright in her bed unable to hide
As she peered through the window
Her eyes amazed her mind
The sky was filled with purple and orange
Her heart jumped, anticipating what she might find
Amidst the colourful light
A beautiful woman appeared
In a soft and gentle voice
She said ‘Odessa come here’
As Odessa walked out to this wonder
The woman’s beauty grew vast
Her hair was curly and black
Her features reminiscent of the past
Her skin was as dark as a blackberry
Her smell as sweet as the nectar
Her nose reminded her of Mama’s
This was a magical spectre
‘I am Nyabinghi, the Hidden Queen to many’
‘I have come to guide you back home’
Her words flowed so tender
Odessa no longer felt alone
‘You were taken from the earth’ said Nyabinghi
‘Transported across the seas’
‘Afraid, frightened and lost’
‘The gods sent a message to me’
‘But I have no way of getting home’ said Odessa
‘The journey was long and rough’
‘With my help dear Odessa’ said the Queen
‘Nothing is too tough’
With Nyabinghi’s last word, came a swarm of butterflies
Their wings had borrowed colours from a rainbow
They aligned carefully together to form a shape
Nyabinghi pointed and said ‘look closely at my window’
Odessa was astonished
The butterflies acted like glue
To create a window of dreams
Odessa went ahead and climbed through
Chapter Three: The Rainforest
Odessa awoke under a giant silk cotton tree
She wondered where she had been placed
All around were enormous green trees
And rain had clearly shown its face
‘This is a rainforest’ Odessa whispered to herself
‘Well aren’t you a clever girl’ the tree had spoken
Odessa jumped to her feet in panic
The silk cotton tree had been awoken
‘Well, don’t just stand there looking shy’
‘What is your name?’
‘My name is Odessa, and you are?’
‘Me….Well I am tree (laughs), are you insane?’
Not again, thought Odessa
Was this reality or a dream?
At that moment the sun broke through the clouds
Presenting the most beautiful beam
‘The rainforest is just fine’ said the tree
Odessa gave a huge smile ‘It’s wonderful’
‘What brings you this way’ the tree questioned
‘I’m trying to find my way home, that’s all’
Odessa’s worries came flooding back
The tree could feel her pain
Mama and Brother were all she had
Her worries trickled up the roots, just like veins
‘Don’t be afraid’ whispered the tree
‘The rainforest will guide you’
Odessa hugged the tree tight
They both laughed, as off the birds flew
The tree introduced Odessa to Mrs Humming Bird
Who wore the colours of a rainbow
A striking bird of beauty
‘I will lead’ declared Mrs Humming bird ‘and you are to follow!’
For hours which seemed like days
Odessa followed contently and closely
Mrs Humming bird flapped her wings so fast
Just as Odessa was to give up, she suddenly spotted the sea
‘Mrs Humming Bird is that the sea?’
‘Yes Odessa, this is where we say goodbye’
‘Look for Mr Crab, he will be on Fisherman’s Bay’
Mrs Humming bird then left, before she was to cry
Chapter Four: Fisherman’s Bay
Approaching the bay Odessa stood still
The beauty around her was vast
Colours of greens, blues and yellows
For a split second she forgot of her path
She began to run downhill towards the beach
The sun beating down on her skin
Out of breath she slumped on the yellow sand
And saw a crab doing a backspin
‘Are you okay?’ worried Odessa
The crab muttered ‘Can you help, I’m upside down’
Odessa carefully placed the crab the right way up
‘You very nearly sat on me’ the crab frowned
‘Oh I am so sorry’ Odessa insisted
‘Not to worry, all is well, no one is to blame’
‘So you are Odessa’ said the crab
Odessa grinned ‘and Mr Crab is your name?’
Odessa and Mr Crab spoke for hours
He spoke of his children and their mother
And then of the beach and the sea
Odessa remembered Mama and Brother
‘I hear you would like to go home’
‘You were taken, against your will’
Mr Crab sighed ‘I have witnessed many lost here’
‘Your wishes I will fulfil’
The memories all came back at once
Odessa suddenly felt weak
Her hands started to trembled
She felt uneasy on her feet
Odessa fell into a deep sleep
Right there, on the sand
Mr Crab watched over her all night
Resting her head on a soft mound
Chapter Five: The Journey Home
‘Odessa, Odessa wake up’
Odessa stirred with the voice so sweet
‘You have made it this far my child’
Nyabinghi helped Odessa to her feet
‘Where is Mr Crab?’ enquired Odessa
Nyabinghi replied ‘He has returned home to his love’
‘But look he has arranged a vessel’
‘The captain of this ship is Miss Dove’
Odessa’s eyes were alight
Her heart skipped a beat
Finally she was going home
Mama and Brother she would meet
‘There is one thing Odessa’ said Nyabinghi
‘When you arrive all may not be the same’
Jubilant, Odessa thought nothing of this comment
‘I’ll be sure to tell Mama and Brother of your name’
With that Nyabinghi rose in a teacup of butterflies
She commanded a safe journey across the sea
‘Go forth young queen and always remember’
Odessa roared back ‘I love you Nyabinghi’
Odessa, Miss Dove and her nephew Motmot
Sailed on towards home
Odessa felt safe and protected
She was happy she was not alone
For six weeks they travelled the seas
Making it through on Nyabinghi’s wish
By day they sang songs of joy
At night they danced with the fish
They finally saw land in their sight
Odessa could sense home was closer
Suddenly the vessel began to rock
Odessa’s heart beat faster
‘Who goes there!?!?’ a voice echoed
Odessa kept as quiet as a mouse
‘I said who goes there!?!?’ repeated the voice
‘You have trampled right through my house’
‘Why we are ever so sorry’ said Miss Dove
She spoke as smooth as satin
‘We never meant to cause upset’ cried Motmot
Odessa added ‘No we would not want that to happen’
Just as Odessa uttered her last word
A colossal mammal arose from the sea
‘My name is Master Whale’
‘So why have you bothered me?’
Odessa felt it was right she spoke
‘Motmot and Miss Dove are helping me’
‘Master Whale they are taking me home’
‘For six weeks we have been out to sea’
Master Whale was confused
‘Why would you want to return?’
‘Life was not great to you there!’
‘What is there possibly to learn?’
Odessa started to become irate
How could Master Whale, question
Her love for home, for family
She answered without hesitation
‘I wish to return Master Whale’
‘As like Mr Tree in the rainforest’
‘My roots are planted in the soil’
‘Home is where I will grow best’
‘I wish to return Master Whale’
‘As like Mr Crab at Fisherman’s bay’
‘My family mean the world to me’
‘Home is where we will play’
‘I wish to return Master Whale’
‘As like Nyabinghi’s beauty and soul’
‘I wish to become a leader for my people’
‘Home is where I will have that role’
Odessa was shocked by her confidence
‘Well then Odessa you shall pass’
‘How can I contest such courage?’
Master Whale smiled ‘You may trespass’
The warm air touched Odessa’s face
Land was within her grasp
The smell of love entered her nostrils
She was finally home at last
Odessa stepped from the boat
On the ground she kneeled
Sand filled her fingers and toes
Her anxieties and fears had been healed
As Odessa climbed to her feet
‘Go forth young queen and always remember me’
The treasured voice echoed in her ears
Odessa whispered back ‘I love you Nyabinghi’
All at once the birds started to sing
Odessa was surrounded by brightly coloured butterflies
Nyabinghi’s presence had filled the sky
She whispered ‘Now Odessa we can finally say goodbye’
Copyright © Zoe Logan