A Martyr's Eulogy Poem by Alem Hailu Gabre Kristos

On my way to work,
Whenever I pass through
The Holy Trinity church,
After a brief prayer,
The tombstone of a martyr
My eyes never fail to search
As his eulogies sensitive cords
Are sure to touch!

I admire
The tombstone's design
A flickering torch,
Whose tongue
Is themartyr 's statue,
That talks loud his virtue!

"Holy Trinity
Till I crossed the river of death
Allegedly, striped of my health,
Poisoned by evil doers,
Who hanker
By unfair means
To amass wealth,
I had been
A public servant
Adherent to my faith! "

"Holy Trinity
To abide by
Your commandment-
Don't steal-
Was my desire
Also to pull out millions
From poverty's quagmire.

Across the board development
Working better than one's best
Efficient resource utilization
Also drew my attention! "

"Holy Trinity
A generation
To corruption averse
Is all-out
The bad scenario
In my country
To reverse.
A generationfor
A developmental thrust
That has lust.

I have come to understand
The coming up of
Many a lass and lad,
Whose rights thatdemand
I need no more reward,
When in front of you
This way I stand
Justice to demand! "

Children of Oromia,
Ethiopia's elephantine branch,
You have to detach
Your state, your country
From the impudent
And the corrupt
That still exercise
The outmoded
Colonizers'
Divide and rule
As a fool.

A corruption fighter
Development's workforce
Is also a hero
Like Ethiopia's
Valorous and dear sons
Balcha Abanefso
Geresu Duke, Abdisa Aga
And Jagama Kelo.

Children of Oromia
Giving to divisive guys
A deaf ear,
You should hold your
Country Ethiopia,
A cradle of mankind
And civilization, dear
Do not forget
Adding up
Is the current road map

Evil doers
Killing a hero
Could not bring
The change drive
To zero.

As a poet what I can say
"Evil doers
Stop to opt for
Devilish way!
But if you
Keeping going astray
You will go
To the grave in
Ignominious way! "//