THE JOURNEY IS OVER, SLEEP WELL BROTHER by Joseph C. Ogbu (Joenwaogbu)

Like thunder, you struck with no fear

With no sympathy, you arrived to offer hearts pain to bear,

Death; with no conscience, you plucked him so young

Indeed, life remains a mystery with unique songs to be sung.   

Today, we are here

Tomorrow, we must be there,

Yesterday was story of birth

Today unfurls story of death.

With no doubts, life usually made a divinely plan

But nature swiftly stops at a man,

Who often seen on cassock and sash

To offer him a serene pash.

All for what please? Not to stay more with his family

But to offer them a last smile, and join a silent queue gently,

Grimace faces, a day brought to us to watch

Restive mouths, relatives have given to catch.

Shattered hearts, brothers are here to endure

 Seeing their brother lying, like a sleeping soldier; for sure,

Yes, a brother whose vision was to pray with chasuble

And zeal was to defend and make his Christian faith visible.

But today, see; his song never chanted

His play never finished to be acted,

As a devoted Christian, who accepted celibacy

A better way! He said; to follow God and stay under His supremacy.

Look around; See men standing to welcome a Brother

On official outfits standing, to escort their Brother,

Whose eyes, gently closed like a monk in a meditation

And face too bright like a sun on a morning visitation.

Please! Behold a man on an eternal slumber

That visited him on a month of October,

Not to enjoy the Litany of the Saints on earth; as he wished

When his feast would have fixed to be witnessed.

Yes, thought was to freely prostrate before the Altar

But watch; he rested before the Altar,

Without a word, without even a smile

This but pains death has come to compile.

Brother! Nothing we have to say, but have a safe journey

For your earthly race is thru; calling a heavenly journey.

With one accord we pray; Rest in peace Brother

Receive Your son, Merciful and Supreme Father,

And give his sins a pardon

For we believe; forever he will jubilate in your Kingdom.