(Negasi is Ethiopian for ‘Royalty’)
The jungle rains
make smooth
the tracks of
his journeys,
and hide away
his bones
His kingdom
long emptied
of treasure
and people
and time
His throne
succumbs to
the loving embrace
of encroaching
tree branches
Vines of ivy
and small berries
the birds glean
in high summer
spiral round his
decrepit scepter
in
vernal abandon
Snakes
burrow
in the
holes
of
looted
gold
Drums
Dance
and
Ululations
of celebration
have turned to
morning
birdsong
The moonlight
Dirge
sung
as he passed
through the
mourning throng
has become the
chirring
of crickets
and the
croaking
of toads
But the
Strength
of his
Spirit
has
forever
altered
this land.
Beyond Panic 