Late Prof. Austin Chukwu

The Lament of the Literati

From the ridge of the roof

to the steps

of the literati heights,

stream of tears fall like a fountain

for he set to sail

to the Happy Isle,

the famed abode of men of valour

that fell before him.

 

This ferry of professorial height,

this ferry on which my kindred spirits

and I

sailed on voyages to the sea of learning,

this sturdy pillar

on which scores of scholars

stood to blossom,

this doyen of humane letters:

at his prime, he took the fall.

 

Our fecund ferry sank

off the coast of wit,

off the turbulence of life,

into the nadir of the ocean

of limitless slumber

with  his air of erudition

safe that which to us,

his seeds, he bequeathed.

 

Oh, the Ehugbo Liner plunged,

leaving us afloat tidal forces,

stirring our lachrymal glands,

forcing our tears to drown the earth!

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Ode To Distinguished Professor Austin Chukwu.

At the ivory towers, Ishieke Campus of Ebonyi State University; my nimble eyes was set on the Canadian trained Professor of English Language and Humane letters. His words as Dean, Faculty of Arts was Platonic. His oratorial charms were powerful. His fierce tone was a threat to campus cultists and management. Then came his intellectual evangelism to FUNAI. He was fierce in his quest for transformation, a single voice that changes the rhythm of academic music and administration.  For me, he was a father, Moses and motivator who readily encouraged my PhD and exaggerated the creative 'kpim' in me.

A week before his death, I shockingly tried to carry the Academic Giant, shoulder high, teasing him that it is time he should walk no more with his legs but be carried shoulder-high as His Royal Majesty. Paradoxically, Prof invited those around to warn and stop this small boy (me) as His Royal Thrown is YET to come upon him the Prince, while handing over spiral bound copies of results he signed and backdated to me. Paradoxically, just as I was returning from Umuahia on that day of your ascension, after a religious research with my friend that returned from the Rainbow Nation and we were busy breaking our fast with 'Bush Meat'; came a dangerous salutation. It announced the death of my academic father and the banquet ended.

That was when the intellectual lord joined the litany of saints. That was when the voice of the hopeless became enthroned as His Royal Majesty... VIEW FULL TRIBUTE

alas! Prof Chukwu bows out!

Prof! Much as I did not enjoy a close relationship with you, I always admired your mien.

Your demise was not just a loss to the FUNAI community, It was a great loss to the state, and a greater loss to  Academia.

May The Comforter strengthen your family, and may your soul find peace eternal.  

Adieu Professor Chukwu!

Good night Sir!

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SUNSET TOO SOON

It is with tear-veilled eyes that I say to you, "Good night, Prof."

May God accept your kind soul.

Rest peacefully in the bossom of the Lord... Amen!

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BONNE NUIT CHER PROF.!

BONNE NUIT CHER PROF.!

IN THIS PATH CALLED LIFE

HEROES BRAVE THROUGH

WARRIORS WAR THROUGH

THROUGH RIDERS MAY RIDE

THROUGH STARS MAY SHINE

THEN THEY COME TO NAUGHT

AT THE END OF THE ROAD

OH YOU END OF THE ROAD 

YOU CATCH UP WITH THIS IROKO 

AS I CATCH A GLIMPS OF HIM  

FROM THE FAR BEGINNING

EVEN FROM THAT DISTANCE

I FELT ALL THEY SAY OF HIM

 THAT AUGUSTINE OF AUGUST

STOOD SO MIGHTY AND TALL

WITH A CLEARLY LOUD VOICE

AND THE PRIDE OF A LION

AT THE HEIGHTS OF AN EAGLE

AN ICON, A LEGEND, A HERO, A MAN

GREAT LOSS AMONG THE EAGLES

SO THE END OF LAMENTATION

IS KNOWING THAT KNOWING HIM

WAS WORTH MY LITTLE WHILE

 AU REVOIR PROOOOOF.!

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