A Visionary’s Conquest Woes Death Entehabu Berhe and Family The following poem is dedicated to the memory of the late Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the right honourable Meles Zenawi, and the precious many who believed in their people’s cause of democracy, justice and equality and paid in life, blood and limbs -  his comrades -  on the occasion of the first anniversary of his untimely departure.   It seemed only yesterday A preponderantly fresh memory Of a beloved’s journey and a departure so untimely Of a great leader, a revolutionary A selfless visionary   But  the chronometer sure does work hard With each and every hand Performing in a concerted relay Registering each second Marking the beginning and end Of each minute, hour and day Of a domain, a life span unbound By relativity Temporal segmentation or finality Marked only By public service of infinite magnitude Secure in the knowledge and certitude That the end Of the era of economic insecurity Of material and intellectual poverty Is an absolute possibility In fact, an exactitude!   Year one Of a world that mourned a unique man Yet his essence and his vision The flame that eternally fuels his people’s ambition His country’s transformation Resonates Vigorously empowers his compatriots And propels his developmental state  towards Ethiopian renaissance His goal; a promise   A year is now a memory Of a tomb that made a mistake Of undue intake Of his part that is mortal in a fury? But not his examples and deeds The parts that keep multiplying in leaps and bounds To actualize his people’s aspirations For a better tomorrow   That grave holding the man Though it has already completed a revolution Around the sun Should know it had A grave mistake made If it believed It has the essence of the man withheld Or a people’s revolution entombed   The people’s revolution Revolves not around the sun Or a man The people’s manifesto proclaims no surrender! Not to war, drags or attempts to hinder Not to forces of darkness Not to those intent on chaos Not to those fixated on power Undue influence or plunder Wolves in sheep skin Be it from within Or the unknown yonder   Zenawi’s clearly articulated policies Have awakened his people’s deep seated ambitions For greatness And a seat among the great peoples and nations Their rightful place A renaissance   Such a vision When propelled into motion By a people’s revolution Can neither be contained Nor derailed From its transformation orbit No matter what!   So woe to death And the grave imprisoning his corps beneath For splendid souls and visionaries never die Excellent purposes never stop or stay In resignation For a relay is in motion   His pointed goals still conquer Much like the sharp edges of his ancestral spear And the revolution that he helped steer So henceforth and after Those who dare Volunteer To give death a death stare Shall remember They have the weight of his vision to bear To make Ethiopia the gravity center For social justice, peace and stability Economic security and prosperity Equitability and ecological sustainability Of the planet that swallowed the one In the hope that none Believe they can Deliver on the promise of a better tomorrow   A promise owed to so many a daughters and a son Whose eyes sparkle in anticipation And those who flamed in resolute determination To realize and deliver a nation A just and democratic Ethiopia A country that hails it’s fallen And nurtures “la familia” Ethiopians, all and one In a better tomorrow   So, sure Miss him a little, secure In the promise That Ethiopia shall endure In the collective covenant of peaceful coexistence Prosperity, democracy and human rights A new day, a renaissance For ever and ever more!     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The late Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi’s ever-alive vision and its results are self-evident and all encompassing. In fact his administration’s signature policies and undertakings imbue his overall disposition and personal touch as much as they do of his party. Yet remember we must. May this poem release a positive charge to reinvigorate the revolutionary passion and vision of those who toil in his and their comrades’ footsteps. Submitted in memoriam August 2013.