The Hero

Coo for the hero
Coo for the gallant hero
who was bent by sorrow
For the repeated horror
Brought on by acts of terror.
On his people.
The robbing,maiming
and slaughter of
His fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters,
grandparents,godparents,mentors.
Routed like cattle from different regions,
running for dear life in legions,
fleeing against their will.
Empty handed.

The mantle was placed on his shoulders
At such a tender age.
By no choice of his own
To get on center stage
Of such mayhem and sunder
on the world stage.

He took it all in stride,
Tried to fix the strife.
As the wise man he became
Having come through the best.
Surrounded himself with the best.
Over and over they tried
To stay the blood shed and loss
As legions trooped across
Rivers and land in flight.
Running from bloodshed and loss
Into the open arms of the best of their sons
Who stood in knee high thorns
of danger and terror.

So much blood was shed
Men,women,children were slayed
And not much was said
By the world, likely afraid
of being true to itself.

Coo for the gallant hero
As he fights for his life.
Snatched from the hands of death,
To finish the work on the station
Destined for him from birth.
The birth of great nations.
Or of a real federation
For which he stood
on Aburi
With indignation.

Coo for the hero.
Yes indeed.
Coo for the hero.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.


Chinwe Enemchukwu
© August 3 2011
Sketch by Chinwe Enemchukwu