LET THERE BE PEACE
Let there be peace
So frowns fly away like albatross
And skeletons foxtrot from cupboards:
So war correspondants become travel show presenters
And magpies bring back lost property
Children, engagement rings, broken things.
Let there be peace
So storms can go out to sea to be
angry and return to me calm:
So the broken can rise and dance in the hospitals.
Let the aged Ethiopian man in the grey block of flats
Peer through his window and see Addis before him
Let his thrilled outstretched arms become frames
For his dreams.
Let there be peace.
Let tears evaporate to form clouds, cleanse themselves
And fall into reservoirs of drinking water.
Let harsh memories burst into fireworks that melt,
in the dark pupils of a child’s eyes
And disappear like shoals of darting silver fish.
And let the waves reach the shore with a
Shhhhhhhhhh shhhhhhhhh shhhhhhhhhhh.
Really good to see you on TV the other night.
You’ve gone a long way since I knew you at Leigh CE HIgh School
Martin Frankish (Maths teacher/Deputy Head)
I love your poems for they touch my heart. When I heard for the program which was held in British Council and Hilton Hotel, I immediately managed my time to get the cards and I attended both programs. After I received the cards to attend, I came to my office and checked the internet feeding your name, the one who has similar face any Ethiopian has appeared. I was surprised for I expected some sot of a white man. Then my eagerness increased more than my love of literature programs to attend. when I attended, the way you presented, the way your acted on that small stage made me cry with some happiness with in. Thank u very much for every effort u made to be such extraordinary person which can represent the black people.
what a nice poem am really inspired of dat
Lemn Sissay: I happen to learn about you since recent, and you are very encouraging young Ethiopian by origin. You are excellent exemplar to young people. My comment to you is with insignificant nature, only I wanted to express my appreciation and admiration. From what I read and learned you are one of great poets. I think to be a poet does not need color, religion, nationality or status – it only requiring compassion, feelings and to use common language of understanding to express. I hope more people would use their talents on fruitful ways other than unwisely investing on groundless tact.
With respect,
Yeshi Gemaneh