You were once like us,
Doing the trivial,
Puff, puff, like we on trial,
We didn’t get tire
Cos we held the fire,
A part of us left with you
“A part of us left in that place”,
Yet they said; some of us jumped through the window
Now, you gone,
We’re no more colorful like the rainbow,
You told us about Ringo,
What he did in Mexico,
But you never told me,
March 4, you’ll be gone.
When you used to be rapping
We were laughing and sometimes
Miss our classes,
Doing business; wood, motorbikes and the ladies,
Your hand you extended,
In this harsh life we led,
Since I left, I didn’t get a word
That this earth,
Would swallow us all up
One day just like you
Cos you were once like us
And one day;
We’ll be like you!

(for Manpely Mathews who sadly left us on the 4th of March, 2016 at the Phebe Lutheran hospital in Suakoko, Bong County. He was a friend, comrade and a helping hand to all who visited his resident in Bassa town near Cuttington University campus. Let your soul rest in peace! One.).