The Hero---adieu

Before continuing with writing about my experiences in the homeland, I will put out this poem,or rather my thoughts,about the departed noble son, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, a true hero,who gave his life,wealth and everything, for his people in their time of greatest need and danger, and for his country, Nigeria.



Coo for the hero
Finally free from strife,
from the trek, called life.
A life sacrificed for others,
as his lot was altered.
His work is done,
He fought the good fight,
finished his race,
and rode off the stage,
to the great beyond.
Throwing into deep sorrow
his friends of yore
and new friends alike,
from all walks of life.
Who come out in droves
for a last salute
for the General,
the people’s General.
His foes are not spared
all the hoopla,
the bustling of activity
surrounding the passing
of this great hero.

Coo for the legend
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Gone but very much around
traveling from coast to coast,
city to city,
pulling crowds at every stop.
Nostalgia holds sway
as Biafra is revisited.
The highways and byways.
Memories of
the war fronts, the armed forces,
boy soldiers,
refugee camps,
Kwashiorkor
Bonny legs, wavy hair,
abdominal girth
grossly exaggerated.
Lethargic youngsters
near the gates of death.
Biafra
Bombed hospitals, burning markets.
The relief centers,
research centers,
Churches
Of the Christian republic.
Biafra
The war songs sound again
as memories flood of
Biafrans
hanging in there,
encouraged by the assurance,
the leadership
and comforting words
of the bearded brother,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Who had turned his back on wealth,
incredible wealth,
on comfort and fame.
inherited fame, but
threw himself in death’s path,
in defense of his people
marked for annihilation.
He stood firmly
despite the bleakness
and stark reality
of the uphill battle.

Trusting the Almighty,
he had seen the bigger picture
for his beloved country,
then oppressing his people.
He had seen a possible future
of stability, equity and peace.
A picture totally missed.
His idea was ridiculed,
trampled on, and rejected.

“Let my people go”
Was his response.
“Let my people go”
He asked of his country
and the world.
“Let my people go”
The hero insisted.
Biafra was born and
and was promptly attacked.

“Give us arms to fight back”
Was his people’s cry.
Biafra
Land of the rising sun.
A safe homeland at last.
A hope for life,peace,
possibilities unlimited.
Biafra
Some hope at last.
Biafra,attacked,
dug her heels in,
fought back with guns,clubs,
homemade arsenal,
guts and tenacity
against a gang up.

Thirty months of fighting,
Thirty months of striving
to survive
cruelty at its worst.
Brutal war
baring the worst in man.
Biafra
hung in there
by the skin of her teeth.
Bruised, blocked,
starved,
Biafra hung in there.
Bombed repeatedly.
Biafra hung in there.

With no end in sight
of the human suffering
and dying,
a truce at last.
Peace at last
for the unified nation.
Peace at last.

Over the years
nothing changed.
Biafra
of the mind?

History is coming home to roost
and generations to come
will know the price paid,
the path paved,
to give freedom a boost
for Nigeria,
or the nations therein.

Change is in the air
as the hero soars
over land and sea,
on this last outing
as all can see
of a great man.

Coo for the hero.
The departed hero.
The beloved hero,
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Adieu.


Onye Uwa Oma
February 23 2012.