Parting ways in an upheaval

By Jeffrey Febi

On the morning of 30th April, while watching beautiful dawn spreads its influence across the sky, I thought it would have been really wonderful to accompany it with music from the companions of birds (cry of a baby or child waking up from sleep). Then I remembered those unfortunate families whose children have perished that tragic night aboard MV Rabaul (evil) Queen.

Following words may not be adequate to express my sincere anger and feeling of disappointment, nevertheless, I found some sort of comfort writing this piece.

Hope readers will like it.
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Firmly tucked into mamas' arms

Childly gazing into mamas' eyes

Breathing mamas' exhaustions

In the belly of an evil Queen

Pregnant in a time of turmoil

With deceits, money, negligence and money

Listening to mamas' frantic heart beats

Hearing mamas' confused cries

Feeling mamas' grips loosen

Three idiots they came! And many separated

Parting ways in an upheaval

Each one to own an unmarked watery plot

Then still dawn undresses dark

Oh those companions of birds!

Their backs to the scorching sun

When next a sea bird, may be a seagull

Sings frantically over sea; probably she calls

Attention to them that play on the oceans floor

Take away! This plateful! Cupful!

O fearless and ageless Prince

Conqueror of times; destroyer of many a kingdom

Absence of light is your majestic abode

Giver you are, to many a man such freedom!

And balance! To a crazy world is bestowed

Count the times upon you, I’ve called

For favours that emerged from my heart

Bare! I’d say, is your memory of my voice

And have I always in fear from you, part;

And tremble in reminiscence, then rejoice?

Do not with joy and a smirk, overlook;

O Prince of Sleep; my burdened heart!

Of your good nature, must I beg, although,

From this turmoil, certainly you’ll depart

This plateful! Cupful! This must go!

Seek! Wherever my heart rests, there

This plateful! Cupful! A rose without petals!

By my side, with a loud tongue; it’ll ever lay

Do not, of you I beg, hereby with it settle

Grab it! With a grip cold and be on your way

This plateful! Cupful! A rose without petals!

It I offer! Prince of Silence, you must know

Away from me! … In you arms must it crush

Crush it! Its odour, hide in your shadow

Then its remnants, into a wind must they rush

Or, This plateful! Cupful! A rose without petals!

Rusty sailless boat, on it, must it voyage south

Its journey; this journey! when and how it’ll end,

With a crimson eye, don’t inform, o shaky mouth;

Tired ears! Wailing! If they hear, will pretend

By: Jeffrey Febi          8th Tues Nov 2011

I was lowered into solitary

I was lowered into solitary;

Perfumed and robed in fine linen

Though my journey has ended,

And the sun ran from me;

Still, who'd my perfume like

And my attire admire;

When only I would inhabit?

Darkness here would be imprisoned,

And silence would be without life!

Perhaps, to decay I'd plead

For time, that I may in my attire

Rest well before I yield my identity.

O maggots! Maggots! Must I,

Remind you all to spare my brain;

Even in this dark lonesome,

Beauty, I’d still want to perceive.

This poem was first published in the Writers Forum of The National Weekender and on PNG Attitude (asopa.typepad.com)