Photograph

( after Achebe's remembrance) We opened our book of remembrance with a Blissful kola nut from Ogidi,then poured libation On that same ground that once held our eyes of unity. Your photograph is that which hung on the wall of my heart parted by walls of your wisdom and thoughts. You saw how the moon peeped through the leaves Uniting our shadows as you loosened your buttons Showing me the path between two mountains; Smooth sand of precious stones sparkled on your softness.. You're a gem in the heart of poetry figures of now. Okigbo was but a zealous fellow of your domain. Sorrow will be the Joy of tomorrow when Okonkwo shall return to enquire of those who called him weak. what makes up the poignancy of your stars?, what make the radiant cloud relish clement despite the inclement rain that once betrayed you ? The most beautiful colour which paint an imminent memory in my heart are found in the palette of moment By the imageries in things fall apart and am eased. if before you get to the soothing roost of opulence, We'll remember you as a man of the people, you did never sail through the thickness of reverberated gloom, We'll not allow the children to fondle sky with fear like Ikemefuna did through dogged consistency and tugged persistency . the sweatness of tomorrow shall becomes the sweetness of today, and the sun and the star shall supply from your thoughts. When shadow of discouragement overshadow our reflection, We'll search through the mirror of courage in 'there was a country and see the encouragement in the image of your vision. I have counted the stars for Ezeulu without a mistake, Obi Okonkwo wIll be here with a clattering breeze to flutters his irrevocable bluster. We will journey East again but this time With a drum of hands and whistle of mouths to tear down Awka with a vocable melody of caress, and remind them of the photograph of your deeds still dangling in our eyes. Yours Poetically, ©John Chizoba Vincent