So, ‘Worlds Apart’ was greeted with mixed reactions. Maybe I saw it coming. Still, I can’t but be sincerely grateful to all those who liked it – and weren’t ashamed to say so. For the maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany who didn’t, I perfectly understand. It was a fast-tracked flirt with an archaic style of poetry. I hated it from the moment that bearded literature teacher taught me many years ago. I’m not even sure how I remember it.

Neeways, here’s another; POSSIBLY my last {documented} affiliation with poetry. It’s the second poem I put up for publication in my CDS’s article. If you (somehow) prefer this to the first, maybe my wackiness is finally rubbing off on you [lol]. Or, maybe practice truly makes for better results. Maybe no one’s really good at anything; maybe life’s all about willingness to try again and again till expected results surface.

As you may already know, my service-year’s fast coming to an end. And, the phase I’m at now is typically characterised by unbridled joy (for the average), nerve, uncertainty and remorse (for us, the ‘other’ kind). So, over and above the parting messages I’m sending out to others, I remind myself to take more away from here than the obvious (its face). This writing’s a silent message to my sub-conscious; pleading that it’ll remember the whole experience for things brighter than blasting bombs, sharper than pocket-swords and much faster than racing slugs! Of course, it should also prod me to do those things that’ll ensure I look back, many years down the line, with a sincere grin of accomplishment!

“For all of its uncertainty, we cannot flee the future” – Barbara Jordan

“To confine our attention to terrestrial matters will be to limit the human spirit” – Stephen Hawking

“At first, it was like we’d never part

Now, heavy lies the lightest heart

Many have walked this noble path

And those have felt this pain for fact

 

In the short time gone by, we made many friends

Words scattered wide like wanton crumbs of bread

Soon, we’ll set sail for different earth’s ends

Someday, though, these memories will fill our heads

 

When that day comes, which shall come first?

The face, the works or thoughts of fun had in the dust?

A lot was said; most by grace, some by force

But nothing stays the same; time splits even cart and horse

 

Time will pass quickly and, if things go to plan

I may soon become a mere dot in a forgotten past

Still, one bright day, thoughts of me your mind would clad

I pray you, let it not be for things ephemeral

 

Remember me not by my face; that member will certainly change

This dark hair will someday go grey

Comply it must, with life’s imposed expiry date

Then, what will you and all the people say

 

That the life I lived was temporal; that I laboured solely for the moment

That from making impact myself I did prevent

That instead of taking charge, others I did send

That from sharing love, shut were all my vents

 

Or that I said a lot by words but did more by works

That alliances like steel I forged and to crises I brought accord

That when all and more were spent, my last I gladly brought

And when oppression clamoured loud, its rants to me were naught

 

It’s finally come that day

To go our separate ways

But this one thing I pray:

Remember me, then, not for my face

 

-Imisi

Editor, EnP CDS”