A LETTER TO A FALLEN HERO

An Order To Retreat If Possible

(An elegy to MR. J.E.K. GOKA)

Dear Combatant,

We have heard of your ghosted mode on our radar

We have re-run our system to be up to date with current trends

In other to capture your location on our tracker

But it appears our fervent trails has no fruitful ends

Cold winds from the frontline in the battlefield in the south,

We hear, are blowing

And our hands are trembling

Our voices are choking 

As we muttered “oh Jerry”

If we had known that this dawn will bring us this news,

We would have wished the night had stayed long

So we could enjoy having you around a bit longer

Abstractly, your students have lessons with you this Friday

And we awaits your arrival

But, they say “Goka nor dey ooo”

Why give up the ghost on this day

When you know you have sent us on a trip

To go and implement what you taught us

And to return and give account?

How do we tell the generation behind us

How you made theories 

Look like stories

So we would remember

When asked to deliver

How!!!!? How!!!!!?

You conquered 3 wars with us

But could not wait till the final battle

Which transit did you board?

That could not delay till the final whistle

That has made you to bid early goodbye …………what transit?

So many questions sits on the table unanswered 

You, that do not delay in explaining 

Things that are complex

To our understanding

Yet no responds till now.

Is it that too many calls are jamming your phone?

Or you are on a sort of heavenly vacation?

We wish someone could toss us a machete

So we could rip into halves

The ticket of sudden departure

That you have prematurely bought

With your blood and breath

So we can finish the 4th and final war with you

But it appears you are already gone, 

Far away,

Somewhere up there in a glorious million miles pass this clouds.

Your compatriots and students 

Have waited for signs of reliefs 

But hope is lost

And they can no longer cope.

So I have been charged to write you this letter,

For your perusal and strict adherence of it.

They say in synopsis;

The commander in-chief of the solidarity fraternity writes; 

“Our tears are ebbing with invisible force 

Our today has started without you

May our tomorrow begins with you

We wish you safe travel

But before you continue your journey,

We command thee to be relieved of all battle duties

And return if possible.”

Sadly, the gate of glory in a million miles pass these clouds 

Do not come with a P.O.Box,

But in thin air as I write,

Kindly read and reply.

We await he who will come and urinate into us

That our current situation is all but dreams.

Fare thee well Sire

Rest in perfect peace

Yours faithfully,

Isaac Cobbinah

Ink of De_Governor✍🏾

(Executive Secretary, Solidarity fraternity)