Simegnew Bekele
One of the
finest sons of Ethiopia
The inimitable symbol of the Hidase Dam
When you see this energetic engineer
You are instantly reminded
Of that stupendous construction
Rising out of the harsh environment of Benishangul
If only briefly you listen to him
Speaking of it with enthusiasm
Your heart is filled with the utmost desire
For its completion
You can't help oozing
With pride and confidence
In this indefatigable man
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He is a dedicated servant of his people
Wearing a simple shirt and his pants' suspenders over it
With a pair of boots for his feet
And a helmet for his head
He goes about the arduous tasks
Of completing a mighty engineering feat
Not for personal reputation
But to bring his beloved country
Out of poverty and backwardness
And onto the path of prosperity and modernity
But alas! his young life was just cut short
By an assassin's bullet
Perhaps the work of a devilish scoundrel
Or an unhinged extremist
Or the work of a henchman
For an evil hostile force
To sabotage the Hidase Dam construction
Or perhaps tragically could he have been caught
In the crossfire between opposing interest groups?
In life dear engineer
You were a builder
An expert tamer of the great Abay river
This was more than a job to
you
A patriotic duty indeed that
you held dear
In your heart like a member
of your family
In death you have become
The Hidase Dam itself
Your spirit has embodied it
The creative energy of your spirit
Has already traversed
Every corner of the country
Inspiring millions of youths
To take the baton from you
And excel in every field of human endeavor
To become an accomplished engineer
Who designs and builds other Hidase dams
To become a distinguished scientist
Who discovers the secrets of nature
And helps to put them to practical use
For the benefit of the people
To become a farsighted thinker
Who has no time for rumor mongering
But seeks truth from facts
To become a great leader
Who sees deeply and whose constant companion is wisdom
Who derides corruption and upholds the interests of the people
Who serves them full-heartedly
To become a creative writer
Who tells the stories of his people
Their great exploits
Their strivings and aspirations
Their joys and grievances
And to become a good
citizen
Who is ethical and indepndent-minded
Who works hard to support his or her family
And contribute to the country's progress
Be rest assured dear engineer
The Ethiopian people in splendid unison
Will say of the Hidase Dam
Upon its completion
"Simegnew Bekele"
In the spirit of your fine name!
Yonas Getahun
07-29-18
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