The Tattoo Poem by Edouard BIZIMANA

The Tattoo
In a twinkling of an eye,
Love, emotions, action we went through
For a while, to us the world belonged
As excitement and ecstasy prolonged
With overwhelming promises
Of everlasting togetherness
Vowing each other happiness.
Never depart from each other
As love seemed to bind
And eyes too blind
To a seemingly pure love.
On an unknown destination,
The illusion took my soul.
I thought the moment would be eternal
That's why I tattooed my body and heart
With your face and name
For the world to see
And for my soul never to forget.
Time elapsed and love passed
The overflowing fountain of love,
Of emotions and confidence tarried
Hopes to be back in your arms never vanished
Until a desert invaded your heart
To dry up the greeneries we enjoyed together.
Like a dry and dead leaf,
Far away, wind carried the soul I cherished
Leaving behind only regrets and memories
As in our secret garden, strangers pried
Your love, care and heart
Away from me, you treasured.
Heartbroken and forsaken,
On a new journey I embarked
With the weight of the past
Thwarting my shoulders and heart
Like a wing-crippled sparrow,
I forced myself to fly high
The moss on my heart preventing
My soul and body to roll on,
The tattoo on my body obscured my sight
As no-one else was there to see
The tattooed name of yours
I engraved deep in my heart
That kept reminding me of the past
That entangles me in a lost battle
Though wholeheartedly I wished
To move on, to free my soul and body.
The tattoo on my body, I erased
But in my heart, your name resisted
I knew I loved you
As the tattoo keeps on popping up
The wound is too deep
For the heart to mend.
Your smile, love and kiss
I still hell, miss.
Day and night I fight
To keep away my sight
That condemns my eyes
To your picture in the frame
Still hanging on my body's wall
I have no courage to remove
As I always expect a call
From a friend I called on for life
Just to know how I feel
And my dreams to fulfil
A long awaited comeback
To a beloved's arms again
And ease my heart's pain
The tattoo kept me prisoner
Condemned my heart to loneliness
Driving away all eyes
That could find solace
On the face you used to cherish
And for many, you still own and
Whose bleeding heart they avoid
For the cut you left in it is still deep
The tattoo of your face still dwells
Attracting people's attention
More than my face and body can do
Slowly I surrender without much ado
Though no resurrection on a third day,
Still hope our love will prevail
As long as I believe in love
The tattoo is my witness
And a reason for happiness.