Life

I did not like the thought,

I was anything but sempiternal

And I had to come only for a short visit.

Innately previcacious that I am,

I fought long and hard,

Holding tight to dirndl earth,

I refused to leave.

Mostly for two main reasons,

And less to do with possession of wealth.

Such was the warmth of her buss,

Go anywhere, if you like paradise,

Would I get love such as hers?

I am not so sure what lies beyond,

It could be better or worse,

Eternal or ephemeral,

Oneiric or real,

Valuable or tchotchke -

Whatever it may be,

I would rather stick

And not trade this world.

The other factor I insist,

That I should stay longer

Is the uncalled for hate of others to encounter.

There are these scapegraces -

Who wish good and harmony clobbered

By evil, greed and discord.

Wherever they go and whenever they wispher,

They spread dustructive wild fire.

That I wish to stay a bit longer

Help pour icy cold water over

And extinguish their rebarbative evil desires,

Forever Amen.

Copyright Haileselassie Girmay

25/5/2002