The Last Opera Poem by Uche Nwanze

A beautiful song, he resounded like the voice of a nightingale
An impeccable smile he wore, our hearts did melt
The heavens marvel, the birds green with envy
Like the boisterous winds, so full of life
A gentle mien, like an apparel he put on
How the sweet melody turn into a dirge
How the vivacious laughter turn to melancholy
No more will you lead amazing voices, now in company of the choir of angels
Chants of come sound his praise abroad no longer but Holy Holy Holy before the Cerubs and Seraps
Cut down as in the battle of Phillippi, a good fight you fought
And Death as always came calling
Shame! From us you stole
The garment of our hearts you rend
Lurking in the eerie cold night, whispers of your name, his call you turned a deaf ear
Alas! You answered the summon of the Cosmos
Gone the way of all flesh, you tread the path of immortals
Moth and rot your flesh eaten, now you reign in the realm of the celestial
No more sulpha notation, no more Doremi to chant
Your mortal body here decays, your soul no corruption will taint
Gone, never forgotten, our hearts will long for you
Ashes and sackcloth I will not adorn, my eyes no raindrop of tears
I weep not, not for absence of anguish
I cry not, not for the dearth of sorrow
No songs of lamentation 'cos you stood up to Death these
past moons
I wail not, you looked Death in the eye
Fade Fade, you fade into the sky, forever in our hearts you dwell
Your frail bones to oblivion island you journey, your name indelible in our hearts
Sleep on nwanem, night has come
In pregnant hope, we wait the morning when the Sun will rise again
You have sung well
A new manuscript awaits you