Forever Poem by Chris Jibero

(Dedicated To Agaptus Egwuogu)

Not all die
only the petty with the avaricious
die
but the man lives forever who touches
many lives positively
along the rough route of life
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who leaves
the ladder of his ascent
to success for his followers
to use
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who is a friend
of the poor and the downtrodden
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who treats
every orphan as his child
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who shares
his meals with the hungry
and his home with the homeless
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who relieves
the pains of the hurting
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who does not
shut his ears to the cries
and groans of the sick but
cares and makes their beds
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who does not
close his eyes to the problems
of his society and neighbours
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever who sees the
universe as his father's bed
and never to be defiled
such a man dies not

Not all die
the man lives forever
And is very great
who lives eternally
in the hearts of men where
he is engraved like a signature
crafted with indelible ink
but the petty with the avaricious
die
for to die is to disappear
forever in the hearts of noble men.

(c) Chris Jibero.2006.