My Fortress, My Divine Heritage
Poem in Couplets by Sochukwu Ivye
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Castle on high ground where the unarmed go when the fangs and claws in the region grow You stand upright in the mother city braving times and climates, yet as pretty Cold spears and darts fly in the open air They spike on your chest and belly laid bare You chose to bear these strikes and cuts for me because you see me at my mother's knee you sacrifice your all; I see your aim I plan my invasion, in all but name. Big tall mother hen, my own Boudicca! For you I exclaim, “Ohhh, Ohh, Eureka!” May I see you as our brave director, who in the frontline leads the prime sector. As though a sailor, Prof. moves us forwards as, on her chariot, Boudicca's swords Still, our keen tireless principal you are who's much about turning each child a star. These Amazons here give up the right chest to not restrain their aiming arrows' zest Is the lion's young not leonine yet? They who come out of the water are wet. You teach, like a Chinese martial arts school to live, defend, offend and play it cool. Before my sixth year, I will have climbed heights known faces, mounted rostra and won fights Beyond this grooming of the soul and mind I shall join the outward strife of mankind How fierce out there, but I am so prepared! kids beaten with rods, no cane will grow scared My stronghold, safe haven and realm divine I left home's cheer for this scholarly shrine Blindness fires aimless shots in the streets but catching shots is the least of your feats Arrows of ignorance and misconduct are grown pointless on hitting your construct My new shield, armour and art of war speak I'm braced for the old fight that routs the weak I question wrong that triumphs over right They that crave the freedom of life must fight Life in my fortress knows the plight outdoors only the weak lounge around soaring wars Let the untrained pull back but emerge primed it is that brawl that thwarts all arms ill-timed Rapt ears hear cries of pain that ring through earth Some hearts exude grief; others exude mirth Who must not lose should battle hard and win for as most shots lack aims, most arms rise thin This fight swells in time; I heed and adjust — a child of fate and student of life must I feel blessed to know this seat of learning and must clinch success, the common yearning Except for mankind, I should not raise arms Thus, I shall offend none but that which harms Breathing is fighting and quite venturesome I keep to where my redemption comes from My sword nor spear will not strike the harmless nor would my shield not defend the helpless It is a fight of life which could look foul while some come ready, others in grief howl Be not drained, teaching me to grow and love nor trip, bracing me with schemes from above Feel not spent consulting on my behalf What finds a baby well will make it laugh I see our soothing ICT workforce whose hardware, software and ploys are on course The citadel's masculine figures shine down the middle of the back, like the spine My citadel is both female and male What a rich mammoth heritage to hail! Though our fortress was carved out of a rock its frame may at length bow to absorbed shock As countless cannons burst, miners invade cynics' privation tactics do here raid Your sentinels may as well come and go but you will stand tall, winsome and aglow As the bounteous mother that brings food your children will seek you in a warm mood They will transcend lands to spread your culture and fail every fair heart but masked vulture God-spurred stronghold, my divine heritage The right thanks my mind cannot envisage You were founded by God to brush His works and will outlast moons, seasons and their quirks Since in doing the Lord's will, you flourish, you will draw and house more souls to nourish I will cheer to call you mine, come what may In my heart, thoughts of you will always play A mother's love is, as a rule, unmatched When I trail the world, please leave me attached Fellow learners at Star Divine College, keep waving the bright banner of knowledge While you keep the tips of your pens spilling, stay on at the book pages; stay willing Tomorrow's conquest crowns today's learners They are, first, workers who are, next, earners All approaching keepers of our stronghold, you may not look here but yo ur days unfold Come straightforwardly; come as the heroes The way forth gleams bright, for our sun just rose
Sochukwu Ivye is an English-language enthusiast as well as a Literacy specialist. He's an ESL/Phonics instructor at a school in the capital city of his state of origin. Sochukwu particularly enjoys metrical poems and writes some. He hails from Isseke, a town in Eastern Nigeria.