So Now How Does He Say Goodbye? Poem by Ernest Elliot Daka

It is time to part, the warrior must go
Away from his love, and back on the road
It is a painful act of nature, a design of humans
And yet neither he nor she can say goodbye
Their hearts have become one and refuse to sever

He touches his love’s face to feel the soft skin
And the look in her eyes tell it all: don’t go
He loves to look into those soft brown eyes
Surely these must be the most beautiful eyes
She looks at him and the warrior goes soft, all over

He must hold her, hug her and kiss her tenderly
He trembles at the thought of it all, he trembles
For the touch of Ilas’ lips is magic to the warrior
And to feel her body close to his is pure torture
But only so can the warrior gain the power to leave

The warrior needs the power to let go
He needs power to say: goodbye Ilas
She does not help because she too is weak and in love
She wants him to stay, but now is the time
It is painful this goodbye, unnatural too

Now as she stands besides the chariot
Their eyes meet again, four glassy and teary eyes
She is his heart’s apple and strength
He will remember her beautiful face all the way
It is a blessing for him to gain her love
As he rides home, he croons happily for Ilas, his love