Before your stone I stand a prodigal
This creed of despair is all-
All that is left of my grieving ink

You my dearest rose
Found it fair to wither
So that I could blossom

But dear mother,

I cannot write in despair
Neither can my lines
Prolong this hope long dead

I cannot recall your face
Neither can my imaginations
Bring back memories we never had

I cannot dream or wish
Neither can my lifetime’s tears
Awaken your eyes now shot for my sake

I cannot cling to you in this life
Neither is it our fate
To meet in this unfair world

                                                ~Okoye Micah Ogugua

                                                  Enugu, Nigeria