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FATHER
Father,
I have seen your eyes
Close in death
Yet the smile seemed
To linger on your face.

I have held your stiff hand,
Felt the deep silence
And heard your unspoken farewell;

I have seen the grave
Embrace you
As a mother
Takes her child
To her bosom.

Yet I beg you,
Ndapota, please
Stay with me awhile.



Kariba, 1998

 
Poet's Note: Father’s name was Ndapota. It means “please, I beseech of you”.