A Rested Relic

Where are you hiding? My sweet ageless malice Seasonal in your incarnating From deep within mothers chalice You who came drinking dry Mamas love, patience and hope Keeping long vigils sighing into dark sky At dawns cock crow our joy elopes You bore the tale of myriad scars Our offering of ash, yams, oil and goats Charm not your feet from following the stars Upon tear drenched mound you merrily gloat Were you bond to severe family bonds Making mockery of old sacred libations Early morn your broken amulets are found Another wail greets the day in sad repetition Suddenly we are aroused by silence Our sleepy eyes have seen your last Our labored prayers and tears in your absence Holds you fast in the quicksand’s of our past Rest our newborn child, Obiaraije rest Sleep our bundle of joy and hope at its best