Monday, October 24, 2005

No Kisses and No Roses Today, only Pushing Up Daisies


No kisses and no roses today
No orchids to give away.
Only pushing up daisies
Where teardrops bathe the faces
Of the wailing mourners thronging the ruins
I cannot bear the acrid smell of their charred remains.
Then I saw the severed hand clutching the bouquet.
Clutching the bouquet of white roses
Lifeless hand clutching roses among the corpses.
Then, I saw the crumpled sheet of white paper in the grass.
I picked it up and I read:
"Wild Daisies:by Bub Bridger (Ngati Kahungunu),
"Up Here on the Hill", Mallinson Rendel, Wellington, 1989.
If you love me
Bring me flowers
Wild daisies
Clutched in your fist
Like a torch
No orchids or roses
Or carnations
No florist's bow
Just daisies
Steal them
Risk your life for them
Up the sharp hills
In the teeth of the wind
If you love me
Bring me daisies
That I will cram
In a bright vase
And marvel at"
I was speechless.
There will be more bouquets
For there will be more caskets.
Crush the wreath.
Gnash the teeth.
And curse the earth.
But our love is stronger than death.

4 comments:

R. Edmondson said...

I'm very sorry to hear about this plane tragedy. My heartfelt condolences to the their family and friends.

Also, I'm extremely saddened to learn of Mrs.Stella Obasanjo passing, Nigeria will miss her greatly. May her soul rest in peace and I pray that God will comfort her husband during this terrible time.

EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima said...

Thank you Edmondson,
The only one who can comfort the bereaved is the only one who knows the depth of their loss, because He is the author, creator and saviour of life. Jehovah.

God bless.

Nneka's World said...

beautiful!

Ori how are you, sorry for the break in communication, been very busy, troubled and all, will resume as soon as i sort things out.

EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima said...

Nne,
I am allright now.

God bless.