Julius Caesar

Nick Makoha

I believe that James McAvoy is a type of Caesar. But he never stays

in character long enough to make it hold. Now when pirates had

Caesar caught in a trap off the coast of Rhodes, he demanded that

they ask for more than double the ransom. When Caesar says,

do this, it is performed. These fishermen, his kidnappers (is “kidnapped”

too strong?), accepted his request as he recited poetry to them on a throne

of flour. Two months after paying the ransom, with the aid of a private army,

he squeezed the yolk out of these men. We’re doomed. I know we can’t all be

Moses but have you noticed that superstars always want to play our parts.

There’s this dialogue where Nicholas Garrigan, played by McAvoy, is rebuked

by Idi Amin — You promised to me you would help build a new Uganda. McAvoy

doesn’t answer. Don’t you know that that’s how they take us? It is Bura’s Desperado

Sacrifice. Forcing the Black king to h8 doesn’t seem to accomplish much, but it makes

all of the difference in just two moves. (1. Qxh8 2. Xxa1 Qd4). Crossing a runway is not like

crossing the street, especially when your Black king is a counterfeit played by Forest

Whitaker and his lazy eye. Planes have been hiding in the air. This duty-free gin is a

useless placebo. But rumour has it Miss American Tawny Godin from Yonkers has a

smile you want all to yourself. The thing about my country is that there is always somebody

ready to say — You’re mine. Maybe I should have led with that.

Anyway, it’s your move.

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Poetry by Nick Makoha - Poetry series - Poetry Foundation.