A Man Has Died, They Told Me. Poem by Emmanuel George Cefai

A man has died, they told me.
‘Who? ' asked I.
‘Karmenu'
‘What? '
‘Karmenu'
I bent my head.
Drooping flower.
Respect for the distant cousin
The politician who so respected me.
My teacher at the Law Course of the University.
He should have more a man of cunning and of steel

His heart was of gold yet he needed more steel.

Perhaps to humble to rise to that steel.
In and out of hospital he gave me hope.
Now I lack that hope, vitally.