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
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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