As I Watched Her Dying
ERNEST EMENYONU
Nne, Nne, Nne, I called,
Hoping she would hear and answer me
She who had given me suck
Fed, carried, and pampered me
Who would never say nay to me
Nor nay to my demands and requests
She now I endearingly called Nne,
And lo, she is past hearing my voice
My mother, my mother, my mother.
Foolish tears, coward’s sword,
Can’t you do more than women and children?
Foolish tears, let me alone
I have more profound things to say and do
And this running nose, be man and retrain thyself
Here she lies dying and you eyes and nose
Pester me with petty occupations
My mother, my only mother, my beloved mother
One and only,
Never more shall I look upon a woman
And say, Nne, Nnem Nkika
Now you tears, idle foolish tears,
Have your way, if that’s the way
The only way to bid her eternal farewell
Fall like the dew, and pour like the rain
And my mother, my mother,
You know I love you
I had given gold and silver
Lots of fortune and precious pearls
To have you always
But I am mortal, so are my efforts.