A translation of a poem dedicated to members of the ENDF, stationed in Tigray State of Ethiopia, stabbed in the back last year by terrorist TPLF while in trenches guarding borders is presented below. The terrorist group’s intention was to dismantle the country and make it vulnerable to internal and external enemies. It as well was aimed at snatching away heavy military arsenals to use it to perpetrate terror under Ethiopian sky so as to comeback to power by foul means. The attack was also meant to downsize the number of Ethiopian soldiers.
Though this treasonous act is arrested by nation loving Ethiopians, frustrated the terrorist group could not desist from foxily creating havocs here and there.
Yet it is clear that in due course of time this impish group on its deathbed will be seen of to hell by the peace-loving and united sons and daughters of Ethiopia.
More than your betrayal
Trampling on fire
Donning the same attire
From above a scorching sun
Before us bullets, machine gun
Stomach pang,
Lack of energy, lethargy
A struggle with Mother Nature
A fight enemy’s neck to take
To allow Ethiopia
A sovereignty pride ride.
Side by side
On its black soil, along
Battle-worn wilderness road,
To be a sod.
A break when we afford
Sitting in a tree shade
With a gun propping up
Our chin or head
To confide with each other
To our heart’s content
Our sacred secret
Entwined by
Nation’s set target.
Adaye, dear Ma, your mother
That made up for
My pining
For my mom, also
All things above
Who fed me love
Calling me Wedey (my son)
Who emboldened me
Uttering Ajuha (Be strong).
And whenever I go wrong
When I express myself
In your language
Goading me
Patting me on my back
You got me back on track.
Laughing it off
“Difference in language
Is just a thin line
We could aline
Don’t bother
My brother!”
“Though
We find ourselves in
An earthly hell,
Hurdles surround as
A spell
We shall leave behind
A heroic history to tell,”
We chanted united.
“We are fire ablaze
Hard to catch for enemy
The ember from afar
Repels enemies far,
Our arm smolders a bar,”
The two of us chanted
Two-as-one enchanted.
On your behalf
I was ready to scarify
Life mine
Standing on a landmine.
But how far did I trust you
Of my guard to unmask,
Elusive,
Follow you what track?
My friend in
Military trench
On my side by rainy day
How could I believe
Bartering my country
Parochialism turning
Your desire
You opened fire?
If I fail to ask
A question
That popes up to
My attention
I will feel
An agonizing tension?
Tell me
For allowing you
A peaceful life
On the altar
With my sweat rife,
What did I denied you
That you long,
Where did my country
Gone wrong?
(Amharic poem Kekedahegn Kedet Yilek/ By Major Journalist Weyen Hareg Bekle/ As translated by Alem Hailu)
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD NOVEMBER 2/2021
