Poet's Curse

Grandpa called us all Sons and daughters of the old lion To the cave of the great tiger His father Like Jacob meeting his Israelite sons He gathered us all As we sat at his feet and listened To words springing from an ancient pond Grandpa blessed his grands With Wealth With Marriage With Victory With Laughter Everyone was smiling I was also smiling Til he called my name Like he usually ended his long speeches My son, we all knew he meant me Not my his in laws Not even his sons my mum's brothers My son, he would call three times as i responded on each call I will not bless you Grandpa announced Guilt of whatever i had done possessed me For you i will curse My old friend affirmed Your tongue will utter destiny His curses begun like the rise of locusts Your years will be more than mine And your battles more Till you slay the monster i never saw Your thoughts will flow like the great river Your fingers will write All the wisdom and wit of your ancestors; Words for nations and generations Your zeal will be your meal For you I can never bless Which beast blesses a fellow beast The great tiger never blessed the ancient lion You i will never bless but Curse you with all my strength For a curse is stronger than a blessing You are cursed my son To dream for nations To think for more than you can handle To yield than you can sow For in this curse i hide my blessings For you son Go with your curse For you should never see the lion again Then grandpa died Leaving me cursed As i am now