An Elegy To A Fair Lady Poem by Chukuemeka Akpe

A decade of decadent silence
Voided by errant memories:
A prayer on wheels to muzzle fear,
The demon pounding at life’s chamber.
The dark message received in a flash:
A plea spurned.
Life evaporated condensing life
Joy tugging Sorrow.
Milk cries drew the tears of dry faucets:
Nurses cupping their reservoirs in regret.
Masquerades wearing bright gloomy masks,
In spritely tones, told the way to an unknown land with rites:
Wedlock across unearthly boundaries,
A shower of gifts poured out as indulgence.
Dirges whistled out from uncorked bottles
Frothed breaths ranting and railing against a pained-half;
Reason already chased away on worthless errands
Ethnic ignorance enthroned on a strange soil,
Crumpled faces speaking with heavy tongues.
Beauty on display like cold meat drained out emotions
The refrained gaze of a forerunner flooded.
Strangers with mournful visages glared at convoy
Respect bestowed to keep a final date.
A warren of repose; epitaphs that paint living pictures:
The present in the presence of the past.
Innocence puzzled at encased love
A broken chain lamented its missing link
A companion bemoaned a companion.
Words cooled and singed the air.
The damp burrow swallowed its reward.
Feet retreated in surrender
As the noise of cascading earth dimmed.