Tribute To A Great Man Truly

This death is and feels like a seismic wave, an emotional earthquake

When brave men, great men like Gomolemo go, hearts and minds shake

We're shocked, we're stunned, stumped, stupefied, rendered speechless

Only hours ago this personified national promise was strapping and painless

Hours ago he spoke in reverberating baritone tones in full voice and good speech

Now as we breathe and speak and walk and work he cannot likewise speak

This death is a disruptive, emotional upheaval on the scarred national crust

It cannot be, but it is, that the oratory Gomolemo cannot rouse and rumble

We hear his voice, we mumble his speeches, we hear his music, we see him

Yet we know that it's not him that we hear or see, but choking memories of him

His death sprawls long as his height and deeds choking every caring heart

Most wish they could recall one bad deed he did to deserve this fatal hurt

This death is not like any other in its untimely ness, shape, form and type

Many a times closure comes with acceptance, adjustment and prototype

This one hides the hurt by its jolt, stroke and stupor, it's jarring and trauma

Because a man of such ubiquitous good and talent and promise dies with clamor

He sang, so I ought to write him a song, but I can't compose a befitting requiem

A good speaker, so I should write his kind of speech but I lack his grasp of idiom

This death is national, personal and challenges the core of poetic justice

That a man of such patriotic deeds should perish on such poetic injustice

Inspired to believe he can lead and ably led but short circuited by death

Gomolemo leaves behind a distraught nation with a gaping role model dearth

I could have cried but I knew those that cried worst, so my tears dried inside

So I know as others do too that closure and relief shall take long to coincide

Rest In Peace Brave Boy of buoyant bravura!

Fare thee well as in blubbery we recall your bravery!

These lines acknowledge your stand with me years back

When even though so young then, your wisdom took me aback!

Farewell brave boy of buoyant bravura...fare well!

Andrew Onalenna Sesinyi

July 31, 2014 · Gaborone