Dear Atemkeng AchangaThe man after God’s own heart
It’s been four years since I last heard your voice.
These days,I make do with the gust of the wind
The rustling of the trees
The thoughts of what would have been
And your whole life ahead not to be seen
Do you know I miss you?
Do you know no one comes close to you?
Do you know you are irreplaceable?
And when I speak of you,they say it’s a fable
And oh! How I wept
Because I realised it’s like you never left.
Living with this burden of your death
fastened to me like a seat belt
Rummaging through my heart with each breath ..
Do you know you have your first grandchild now?
Yes your 3rd daughter is a mother wow!
Leli found love in a distant land
Married to a Cameroonian man
Do you know we are doing fine?
Oh yes! Your friends and family left us behind
But you told us they would didn’t you ?
But don’t worry about that,we cool
Anyi is a big makeup artist now
Her art leaves her clients wowed
Mafua is studying English now
I know you’ll be proud of how her life turned out
Atem is also in school now
Your only son is a big boy now
He works so hard sometimes I cry
But always calls to make me smile
Do you smile in heaven?
Or is your heart sorrow-laden?
Do you see my triumphs?
Walk with me on my lonely sojourn?
Do you still get angry when I slather my face in make up?
Or now realize it’s ok for ladies to cake up
Or now realize it’s ok for ladies to cake up
Do you still wish you and my momma made up?
Or you ok with the break up?
Are you restless over dreams unfulfilled?
Or at peace in a land that’s honey filled
Are you proud of how far I’ve come?
My accomplishments sound up in heaven like a gong?
Are you angry I became a blogger?
Or support my new path with hopes i get further Still nurse hopes I’d become a lawyer?
5 years in school and further
Seeing me in suits so dapper
Was what you wanted as a father
Or support my new path with hopes i get further Still nurse hopes I’d become a lawyer?
5 years in school and further
Seeing me in suits so dapper
Was what you wanted as a father
Do you know I’m independent now?
I even got haters wondering how!
Even when I feel so down
the thought of that makes me smile some how
Even when I feel so down
the thought of that makes me smile some how
Do you know there’s sorrow in the land
Boko haram’s killing now
Sometimes I wish I could call you up
And talk about about how thing’s messed up.
It’s been long I saw you in my dreams
yes like a decade it seems
yes like a decade it seems
Sometimes all I need is a beam
A sign to show you still with me
I know I complained about your frequent visits
I went to church on nightly vigils
Begging for you to let me go
I didn’t want you to see my sorrow
Today is father’s day
Can you tell me about your day?
Tell me you sitting on the throne
In a land where there’s honey and gold
So visit me in my dreams tonight
Oh Please don’t put up a fight
I want to know your still with me
Daddy please don’t let me be!
Happy Father’s Day
Your Daughter Emeh Achanga
PS:This is my first poem ever dad..Hope it meets your standards prof (wink)
PS:This is my first poem ever dad..Hope it meets your standards prof (wink)
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
A noble man. I remember the days of tutorials at Naraguta grammar school Jos. Rest in peace sir.