Nature's Paradox

   Paradox is on the rise,

Drama staged in heaven;

Surprise! Surprise!
The moon obscures the sun!
Doomed, damned, dark day;
Looming shadows; chilling cold;
Perfect circle ring of ray,
Corona emits flame gold.
In a solar-lunar conflict,
Perplexing twist-turn;
Tiny moon makes an impact,
Eclipsing huge sun!
Nature is Pandora's box,
Offering infinite;
Gallery of paradox,
Book of lessons for a life.
Metaphorically speaking in every rival race,
Though victory may not last long;
Given time and space,
The weak can beat the strong.

Wondimu Mekonnen

Son of a ‘Neftegna’

Son of a ‘Neftegna’

Oh you poor!

Thought I would be offended?

Actually it is an honour

‘neftegna’ to be branded!

Thank you!

Yeah!

Yes!

You are right!

I am son of a ‘neftegna’!

Gun totting earth-mover!

Child of the ‘arbegna’

‘Fanno’ Freedom lover!

Let me say this clear and loud,

Hero’s descendant and proud!

I am that ‘neftegna’s’ off spring,

Ready to pick up his shield;

Deep-planted seedling,

Groomed, sworn and sealed!

That black fighting machine,

Colonialist’s nightmare;

Loved Ethiopia with passion,

Broke enemy’s snare.

‘Neftegna’ the freedom champion!

The devil Italians dreaded;

Nightmare of the French Legion;

The guerrilla the English hated!

‘Neftegna’!

Yeah!

A name that would bounce!

What a word to pronounce!

A name that rings a bell;

Menelik’s right hand!

Colonialists’ walking hell!

Defender of the motherland!

Brave gallant knight!

With an inviolable motive!

Hardened through fight!

Shelter to the fugitive!

‘Neftegna’ is a sacred name,

Traitors! Make no error!

A slight attempt to shame,

Might mitigate a nasty terror!

Because,

I am his proud son,

Replica carbon cut;

Pedigree second to none,

Genuine replacement!

I am the ‘Neftegna’s heir,

Cub of the black lion;

Duty bound successor,

Continuation of the line.

Guardian of liberty!

Ethiopia’s security!

Jealous for her unity!

Territorial integrity!

Just like yesterday,

Saving the nation from vultures,

On guard night and day!

Taking no chance on ventures!

Here I stand to pay a price,

Trekking the patriotic course,

Life ready for a sacrifice,

Born to die for a cause!

Call me “expansionist”

Bestow on me ‘Neftegna’!

Cry! Scream! “chauvinist”!

Reincarnate ‘arebegna’!

I ascribe honour to heroes,

Unwavering I stand;

Giving glory to fathers,

Inheritor of the land!

I have no other desire,

Apart from the free motherland!

None whatsoever to aspire,

However, if provoked!

Don’t blame for a mire;

No left or right to turn!

I am a fuming fire!

Ignited that would burn!

Don’t push me!!!

Dedicated to Ethiopian patriots regardless of their ethnic origin who who had fallen defending Ethiopia's independence and their children and grand children who are doing the same thing today.

Wondimu Mekonnen

Stirling, Scotland, UK March 1996

 

FOURTH ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE OF YALEM MEKETA MEKONNEN

Four years have gone by today on 16th January 2019, since our most loved and bubbly Yalem Meketa Mekonnen, my first loving and caring wife, best friend and sister left this world for heaven. I trust in the Lord that she lives in heaven at the feet of her mothers, the likes of Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel (ራሔል).

In Jerusalem, at the stone slab, where the body of our Lord Jesus Christ was laid down to prepare for burial (October 2009)

.On Sunday, she was remembered during Holly Liturgy at London St Mary Church of  Debre-Tsion. After the church, some of us went to her grave to place flowers at her memorial stone.

Yalem was a wonderful person that will not be easily forgotten. All her life, she lived for others. As a result, two years ago, Yalem’s family and friends came together and established “Yalem’s Friends Mutual Support Association (Idir - ዕድር)። On her fourth memorial year, the Association celebrated its 2nd Anniversary,  We had a wonderful meal at  at the Zeret Kitchen, Camberwell, lovely Ethiopian restaurant that belonged to one of Yalem’s and my best friends, Tafe! At the same time, the members of the Association held their Annual General Meeting and discussed various issues. 

With this Association bearing her name, in place, Yalem’s will always be remembered every year, as members gather together for a purpose, that is to help each other at times of crises. That was what she used to do when she was among us and that is what we will continue to do in her memory.

May the Lord Rest Her Soul in Peace!

Wondimu Mekonnen